By Wakhungu Andanje
The outgoing Chief Principal of Friends Malava Boys, John Simiyu Wakwabubi, has called for calm and unity as he prepares to swap positions with the embattled Friends Teremi Boys Principal, Dr. Aliva Luvaso.
Confirming his transfer, Wakwabubi stated that he received official communication from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) last week, though speculation about the move had been circulating since December last year. He is set to assume his new role at Teremi Boys in Chwele, Bungoma County, in the same capacity as Chief Principal.
“Yes, it is official. The TSC has communicated my transfer to Teremi, and I am just waiting to hand over to my able colleague, Dr. Aliva Luvaso. I have full confidence that he will steer Friends Malava Boys to greater academic heights,” said Wakwabubi. He urged Malava residents to welcome the incoming principal and focus on his strengths as an experienced academic leader.
“I understand this transfer may not sit well with some, but I urge everyone to remain calm and mature. Any negative utterances could create unnecessary animosity, undermining the school’s national reputation. Transfers are a routine process by the TSC, and we must embrace change. With his vast experience, Dr. Luvaso will undoubtedly lead this great school to academic prosperity,” he advised.
Wakwabubi leaves Friends Malava Boys after five years of service, departing with an impressive record of 145 university placements—the highest in the school’s history. The institution ranked 17th in Kakamega County with a mean score of 6.10 in the last national exams. He urged parents to support the new principal by ensuring timely fee payments, noting that the school currently has outstanding arrears of over Ksh. 12 million.
Meanwhile, Dr. Aliva Luvaso, the incoming principal, acknowledged the challenges he faced at Friends Teremi Boys, particularly following the recent student unrest. Out of 651 candidates who sat for the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), 36 received grade Y. However, the school also recorded one A, 10 A-, 11 B+, 32 B, 54 B-, and 105 C+, with a total of 213 students qualifying for direct university admission, earning a mean score of 6.08.
Expressing his commitment to his new role, Dr. Luvaso assured the Friends Malava Boys community that he was dedicated to improving on the strong foundation laid by his predecessor. “With your cooperation and commitment, we will build on the school’s academic success and achieve even greater university admissions. I am ready and willing to embark on this journey with you,” he stated.
Addressing the exam irregularities at his former school, Dr. Luvaso expressed regret over the cancellation of some students’ results but maintained that it was beyond his control. “No principal ever wishes for such setbacks for their candidates. If I could reverse the decision, I would. Unfortunately, it happened, and someone had to take the blame,” he said.
Despite the past challenges, Dr. Luvaso remains optimistic that his transfer presents an opportunity for a fresh start, where he can prove his capability as an effective leader in the education sector.
