Maseno School /HANDOUTMaseno School, Kenya's oldest formal learning institution, will commemorate 120 years of academic service with the unveiling of a Sh2 billion redevelopment masterplan and the launch of a new alumni foundation.
The announcement, made by the Old Boys and Friends of Maseno School Foundation yesterday, sets the stage for what organisers describe as a celebration of history and a bold leap into the future.
Founded in 1906 by Church Missionary Society pioneer Reverend John Willis, Maseno School began its remarkable journey with a handful of local learners gathered under a tree.
From these humble origins, the institution grew into a national powerhouse of academic excellence, leadership development and community service.
Its alumni roll includes Kenya's first Vice President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, who also taught mathematics at the school, former Emurua Dikirr Johana Ng'eno (deceased) and Barack Obama Snr, father of the former US President.
The school's unique geography, with the equator running directly through the campus, has long fascinated visitors and students alike.
President William Ruto is expected to grace the April 10 celebrations at the Maseno School grounds in Kisumu county, which will bring together personalities from the highest levels of public and private sectors.
The event will feature historical showcases displaying artefacts and memorabilia, alongside performances of songs and poems presented by current students, offering a rich tapestry of the school's 120-year journey.
Joe Ager, the chairman of the Old Boys and Friends of Maseno School, articulated the threefold purpose of the commemoration.
"We will mount a celebration of the history and achievements of Maseno School; reliving and reciting important historical milestones, displaying artefacts and memorabilia, enjoying songs and poems presented by Maseno School students," he stated in a release.
"We are expecting a rich and interesting mix of invited guests including personalities from the highest levels of public sector as well as the private sector."
The centrepiece of the anniversary is the Sh2 billion redevelopment plan, designed to create a Centre of Excellence whose utility and academic leadership will endure for another 120 years.
The foundation draws direct inspiration from the visionary founder, Willis, whose ambitious futuristic view of education transformed it into one of Kenya's most distinguished institutions.
The redevelopment will overhaul learning facilities, dormitories and co-curricular spaces, ensuring the school remains competitive in an evolving educational landscape.
Alongside the physical transformation, the newly unveiled Maseno School Foundation will leverage the extensive networks of Old Boys and Friends to mobilise financial resources from across the globe.
These resources will be professionally invested, with returns deployed to support bright students admitted to Maseno School who face challenges in paying school fees.
"Leveraging on the networks of Maseno Old Boys and Friends, we shall maximise all opportunities to mobilise financial resources from all over," Ager said.
"Such resources will be invested professionally, yielding returns that will be deployed to assist bright students admitted to Maseno School who, unfortunately, experience challenges in paying school fees etcetera."
The strategic focus on infrastructure and student support came at a time the school is already recording significant academic victories.
Under chief principal Peter Owino, Maseno School recently posted stellar Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education results, with dean of studies Patrick Mboya confirming the institution's best performance since 2015.
Following this success, the school launched its 2026 Academic Strategic Plan aimed at pushing the institution's mean grade beyond 11 and ensuring every learner secures a university place.
Owino has consistently emphasised the value of collective effort in achieving success.
"Coming together is the beginning, keeping together is progress, and working together leads to success," Owino said in a recent interview.
"I believe in the strength of the team as a unit and in the strength of each individual player."
The forum of Old Boys and Friends of Maseno School includes Walter Odhiambo, who serves as secretary, and members Joseph Aluoch, John Oseko, Prof Francis Aduol, and PS Stephen Isaboke.
As the institution prepares to mark 120 years, the message from its leadership is one of continuity and ambition—embedding the Maseno spirit in both infrastructure and opportunity structures that will carry the school through its next century of service.
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