Kisumu Boys High School set for infrastructure facelift

The iconic Kisumu Boys High School, which faces infrastructure challenges for the 2,300 students, is gearing up for a facelift that will transform the school.

The school, established in 1948 and located in Kisumu City’s CBD, has limited infrastructure such as classrooms and dormitories to comfortably accommodate the learners.

This, however, is expected to change with the planned infrastructure development by the school management.

The school, whose infrastructure is monumental and synonymous with the origin and growth of the City, has produced many outstanding engineers, medics, businessmen and academicians.

Others include top lawyers, artists, musicians and sportsmen among many other professions.

School Chief Principal Austin Muma said they are planning for an infrastructure facelift which will transform the school’s infrastructure.

Already, the pavilion which is a landmark of the institution, has been constructed after it was razed down alongside the dormitory last year. The pavilion is cherished by the school's old boys.

“If you look at it today compared to how it was before last year and even beginning of this year you will see the kind of work done. It will give you a pointer to the infrastructure facelift plan we have for the school in future,” Muma said.

During the half-term break, he said they will undertake some upgrades that will change the face of the school, which is presentable.

He spoke during the Kisumu Boys Family Day prayers which brought together students, teachers and non-teaching staff on Sunday.

Former Kisumu Boys principal and motivational speaker Denis Abok and Reverend Philip Ombura presided over the prayers.

The boys were treated to a sumptuous meal, which included chicken rice, and soda. 

Last year, the school reported cases of fire incidents which razed down some dormitories.

Muma, who took over the school in January, believes they will achieve good performance and infrastructure development with the support of the board of management and stakeholders.

He said despite the huge debts inherited and financial challenges they will work with all stakeholders to ensure students learn in a conducive environment.

Currently, the school is grappling with about Sh83 million owed to suppliers.

He said the school is committed to ensuring suppliers are paid because some of them have taken loans.

“We have held meetings with our suppliers and agreed on mode of payments to ensure smooth operations in school,” Muma said.

Even as they plan for a facelift, he said the management has to provide for the students without compromising their welfare.

Kisumu Boys, a category A school, was a centre of excellence and has the infrastructure which has lived for a long and old.

“The infrastructure needs to be reconstructed and rehabilitated. Some need to be expanded because of the rising population,” he said.

The school, which was both day and boarding, is now fully boarding, putting pressure on the existing infrastructure such as dormitories and classrooms.

Some of the classrooms have been converted into temporary dormitories as the management seeks for a solution.

“We have started putting up some classrooms that will ease the pressure,” Muma said.

The facelift plan includes upgrading the school's major building hosting the administration block and classrooms to the first floor.

This will see 11 new classrooms and an administration block constructed, similar face-look of the  Kapsabet Boys. The school is currently seeking donors to implement the mega project.

Besides the main block, the school is currently building nine classrooms at the site, which formerly hosted the library and staff room.

Once the classrooms are completed, the school will bring down some dormitories depending on the availability of funds and construct multipurpose dormitories which can accommodate many students.

The plan, Muma said, is to create spaces between the buildings, and plant trees where students would undertake studies out of classrooms.

Noting the challenges coming with transitions, Muma said they will work towards achieving the school target based on their strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) depending on the availability of funds.

He noted that they require serious academic performance and infrastructure boost.

“We have been operating at seven, and as a category A school, with students’ entry marks above 320 all of them should qualify for university,” Muma said.

In between Form One and Four, he noted that there are other challenges facing the boys but still the school should guarantee a good performance.

“I want to believe we will achieve the targeted mean score of 9 through hardwork and dedication from my team. I want to be identified with good performances with backgrounds from previous schools,” Muma said.

To achieve infrastructure improvement and good performance, the principal called for unity, and teamwork among teachers, students and stakeholders.