Solomon Koech is 2016 principal of the year

When Solomon Koech attended the annual Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association meeting in Mombasa this month, he had no idea what awaited him.

That he would emerge the 2016 Principal of the Year was the least of his expectations, let alone his dream, as he would later confess in an interview with the Nation.

“Being declared the country’s best principal was a big surprise and I can only say thank you, thank you, thank you God, for the victory,” said the 46-year-old.

The head of the little-known Emining Boys High School in Baringo became the first principal from the South Rift region to win the award.

The soft-spoken teacher took the heads’ meeting by storm and beat other secondary schools heads across the country to clinch the annual award. The event was graced by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

It is perhaps the highest national award that secondary school heads dream of winning before they retire.

WINNING STREAK

This is the second time in a row this year that Emining Boys is hitting the headlines, after Bethwel Kiplimo beat many odds to emerge one of the top candidates in last year’s Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education examination by scoring an A mean grade of 84 points.

“It wasn’t easy to win the award as there was stiff competition and rigorous vetting that took four days but I am happy the judges trusted the quality of my work inside and outside the classroom,” he told the Nation on Wednesday.

When his name was read out he almost collapsed with joy.

“I remember uttering these words, which still ring in my heart: Thank you God,” said Mr Koech, who teaches biology and agriculture.

His victory started at the sub-county level, where he emerged the best, and at the county level he maintained his winning streak.

His star continued rising in the Nakuru–Mau region, where eight counties participated, and he went on to beat his challengers to emerge first.

“When I won at the regional level I promised my competitors I will not disappoint them at the national level and I am happy that has come to pass,” said the father of five.

TEAMWORK

The victory saw him return home Sh100,000 richer. Earlier he won Sh50,000 at the regional level, Sh35,000 at the county level and Sh20,000 at the sub-county competition.

The Egerton University alumnus said his admiration for his former teachers, who were respected by the society, has been his inspiration as a teacher.

“Teaching is in my blood and that is why in 1996, when I was offered an opportunity to be an agriculture extension officer, I turned down the offer and I opted to become a teacher,” said Mr Koech.

What is his secret of success? “Persistence, commitment and a desire to achieve the best without minding whether there is somebody watching you and involving God in every step you take.”

He attributed his victory to teamwork by the teachers and non-teaching staff, students and the board of management.

“This victory is as a result of the cooperation of my teachers, who wake up as early as 5am and retire to bed at 10pm daily, my students and the board of management, and that is why I dedicate this victory to them.”

PARENTS

According to Mr Koech, the wave of strikes in schools is a result of parents losing touch with their children.

“There is something wrong with parenting, as parents have abdicated their role of guiding their children,” he lamented.

His lowest moment as a principal is whenever he is forced to send students home due to non-payment of fees.

“My heart cries when I see the student go home because I know what they lose may not be recovered,” he said.

Mr Koech thinks the judges were looking for a transformative principal inside and outside the classroom who loves his work and has uplifted the life of the community near his school.

“I have led the school fraternity in planting aloe vera plants near our school and this has helped in stopping soil erosion and has enhanced food security,” said Mr Koech.