Rude shock as night guard is found dead at sipili

The residents and traders of Sipili woke up to a rude shock as they found one of the night guards have been killed by unknown assailants on Wednesday night. People thronged the scene to witness the gory incident, which left them in fear! Nothing was stolen from the watchman and no shops were broken into.

 Police arrived in the morning to record statement and the intentions of the assailant have not yet been established.
 

Seven million; raised for Laikipia West schools.

By Wa joe

 People from all walks of life converged at Sipili secondary school grounds to receive the former powerful cabinet minister; Nicholas Biwot, who was the chief guest at a fund raiser, ‘‘Harambee’’ held at the school on Saturday 17^th march 2012. 

The funds raised will be shared among twenty one secondary schools in Laikipia west district, to assist in fast tracking infrastructure development.

The day started in a low key with parents trickling in slowly, followed by several other guests who occupied the front seats of the dais as they waited for the guest of honor. Students from various schools were busy polishing their entertainment songs in the open field. At around mid day, choir groups were invited one after the other to entertain the audience. A student from Nyakinyua secondary School thrilled the parents with her poem entitled “Tarifa ya Habari”. 

 At around 3.00 p.m, the guest of honor arrived aboard a chopper. On Saturdays Sipili is usually bustling with activities since it is market day, but on that day everything went in disarray as people ran in masses towards the school. The usually robust market day at Sipili trading centre was brought to stand still, as people frenzied to Sipili secondary school, to catch a glimpse of the chopper as the guest of honor landed in a style. Youths jumped over the school fence to see the chopper. Many people also wanted to see the former famous cabinet minister face to face.

Nicholas Biwot, was accompanied by four other guests and his bodyguard.

Small children milled around the helicopter and photographers had a field day taking photos of people posing in front of the chopper. 

Everybody wanted to be snapped near the helicopter for future remembrance.  I asked a local photographer, Mr. Siwa, about the afternoon, and he just smiled and told me that the day was nice. He had made a booming business out of the chopper.

Clad in traditional regalia, the students from G.G Rumuruti secondary School, pooled large crowds to the dais, as they entertained the guest of honor with a thrilling Samburu traditional dance. 

Later at around 3.30 p.m the guest of honor was invited. He made a short speech where he introduced his party ‘‘The National Visions Party (N.V.P)’’. He officially started the fund raising where he contributed Kenya shillings 200,000 and received another two million shillings from a fund raising organized by a subcommittee in Nairobi. 

The quest received money from various secondary school principals and shortly excused himself as he was going for another function in his home turf in Keiyo. Mr. Biwot handed over to Dr. Mugo a lecturer of Egerton University to continue and left. 

 The guest of honor was escorted to the chopper by large swaths of people, many made desperate attempts to shake hands with him but they were repulsed by the security team. Mr. Biwot got into the chopper and the ‘‘bird’’ whirled the air, sweeping the dust across people’s faces and blowing off their hats before leaping into the air in a spectacular version. Photographers struggled to take the best photos as the chopper rose into the sky. 

Other aspiring leaders also attended the Harrambee so that they can address the gathering.

Over seven million shillings, were realized in the Harambee. The money will cater for development in the twenty one schools in Laikipia west the district. 

KCSE candidates flock Ng'arua maarifa centre to check exam results online

By David Kiarie

Ng’arua Maarifa centre has been a beehive of activities since the release of the Kenya certificate of secondary education examination 2011 results three days ago.

Tens of last year’s KCSE candidates have been flocking the resource centre to check their exam results through the internet.

The centre is a hub of information and is equipped with a library and internet enabled computers for free access to members of the public.

Unlike several years ago when candidates had to physically visit their former schools to check for their results, those who sat for both Kenya certificate of secondary education examination and Kenya certificate of primary education examination for the last about three years ago are able to check their results online.

Candidates can also check their results by sending a text message with their examination index number to 5052.

The move by the ministry of education has been hailed by many Kenyans, as it is a fast and convenient way to post the exam results.

Teaching; a high calling to service, not a mere job

By James Maina

After three years of experience in teaching, I have come to a full realization of what it takes to be a teacher in the real world and in the unseen sphere of being a public servant.

Getting into a classroom, speaking loud, lesson planning, syllabus scheming and other peripheral activities are not all that a teacher has to do. There are much more.

Having innocent pupils and students yearning for knowledge from you. What a great feeling.

The services a teacher is expected to render to that little angel are enormous, diverse and very pivotal in life than anyone can imagine.

Prompting to be a researcher

An efficient teacher regularly undertakes special research to know the possible ways in which the services rendered are up to date and focused.

Call for commitment

Despite the fact that only a handful of Kenyans recognize our efforts in making useful men out of small boys and useful ladies out of small girls, we  must be measurably be committed to our job in order to achieve  high levels of success  in our profession.

Call for love

As a teacher it is impossible to inculcate useful knowledge in the learners whom you bore. Always crown your lessons with love and you will get it rather interesting. Show love and expect good results.

Girls beat boys in national exams at Lariak primary of Sipili in Laikipia West district

By wa Joe and Priscah Ngarachu

There was pomp and colour at Lariak primary school of Sipili division in Laikipia West district as old boys and girls ,parents, teachers and pupils gathered at the school to celebrate good performance in last year’s Kenya certificate of primary education examination.

While pupils sang and danced, old boys gave moving speeches as the teachers reiterated their commitment to achieve high marks and emerge top in the division.

The school with over 800 pupils managed to post good results despite having the highest population in the division. Speaker after speaker praised the head teacher Mr. Peter Kariuki alias PK and his staff.

Pakiston Wanjohi led the park with 375 marks followed by Ann Wairimu with 353 marks. Danson Njau came third with 338 marks.

However, girls generally carried the day with most of them making it to the top ten.

In other classes, girls’ performance was better than that of the boys. They topped in all the subjects apart from mathematics. Girls also led in good behavior with 10 of them being rewarded for good discipline. Nine boys were rewarded in that category.

In the English subject, 13 girls were rewarded for good performance compared to five boys who received awards in that category. In science subject which many perceive to be a boys subject, girls did better with 10 of them being rewarded while compared to eight boys who took home prizes in that category.

Pamela Wambui from standard six central carried the day after emerging top in most of the subjects in her class.

The presents were in hundreds with most students receiving prizes that had been donated by various education stakeholders, friends and well wishers. There were cash rewards as well which went to both the pupils and the volunteer teachers. 

The school which was holding its first ever education day since it was established in 1952. has two volunteer teachers Mr. Njenga and Mr. Clement both of whom are old boys of the school.

Sipili Divisional Education Officer Mr. Keru thanked the parents and teachers from the school for their efforts in ensuring the good performance by the pupils.