In August 2004, after completing my degree at Kenya Highlands Bible College (currently known as Kenya Highlands University), my denominational head office – Africa Gospel Church sent me back to Turkana (Lokichar). I found Rev. Walter Ruttoh and his wife Hellen serving as Missionaries. In 2005, we started AGC Lokichar Secondary School out of community need when High schools used to be a rare species. Today, the landscape has changed.
This was a wonderful vision that would see me handed over the school on March 2005 as the second Principal. Coming out of College, you can’t imagine my excitement. There were no students to enroll at that time and we began by going to those who had the desire to be in school but were not able because of pregnancies, fees and other discouragements. It was a difficult lot to lead but God was gracious enough to give us the grace to shepherd. The school was facing financial challenges since everything depended on our denomination to supply. AGC churches supported us but they could not supply for all our needs. A thought of giving the school to the government as a public entity became a viable option. This meant that I had to relinquish my Principal position and become the deputy. It was hard but because of the larger good of my lovely students and the future of the school, I had to give in and began a deliberate search for a Principal from the government. We got one and I became the Deputy. And because we need more teachers, I had to accept to be falling one step behind to allow professional teachers to take the lead. I finally found myself as a Chaplain – where I belonged.
The “demotion” as people say was not pleasant as embarrassments were noted – “madharau ndogo ndogo”. A time came e/when the Principal I sought for wanted me out of the school and I had nowhere to go. It was traumatizing which made me have sleepless nights imagining of how things could change to that level yawah! My dear wife became my serious counselor. No wonder she went for a degree in counseling after that. By the way it was good that he went for that because on the other two next episodes, she continued to play that critical role because the lesson had not sunk properly. Obviously, I felt bad but I had to soldier on because I knew that I brought myself to that seemingly low position for the sake of a greater good for my wonderful students (we bonded so well out of the lives we shared beyond school work) and the future of the school. AGC Lokichar Secondary school is one of the biggest schools in Turkana South today and I thank God for the opportunity.
You too can allow yourself to take another role that will definitely allow others or institution to achieve more than sticking to the role that will eventually destroy or even render you all unproductive.
Thanks for reading through. See you in the next ‘demotion’ experience from another echelon of power.
