Hundreds of students, teachers, school administrators, religious leaders, and education stakeholders from Catholic-sponsored schools across Trans Nzoia and West Pokot counties gathered at St. Monica’s Girls High School on Saturday, May 30, 2026, to celebrate the Diocese of Kitale Education Day.
The annual event serves as an important occasion for the Diocese to celebrate achievements in education, recognize excellence among learners and institutions, and reflect on strategies aimed at improving educational standards across Catholic-sponsored schools.
The celebration was led by the Bishop of Kitale, Rt. Rev. Henry Juma Odonya, who presided over the Holy Mass and delivered a message of encouragement to students and educators alike. In his homily, Bishop Odonya urged students to remain committed to their academic pursuits while also actively participating in co-curricular activities, particularly sports, which play a vital role in holistic development.
The Bishop further encouraged learners to cultivate values of love, unity, and mutual care, reminding them that they are called to live as brothers and sisters in Christ. He challenged the students to become agents of positive change within their schools, families, and communities by demonstrating integrity, responsibility, and compassion in their daily lives.
Emphasizing the importance of solidarity and spiritual support, Bishop Odonya called on the students and all participants to pray for one another and foster a spirit of togetherness. During the celebration, he also led the congregation in observing a minute of silence in honor of the students who lost their lives in the tragic fire incident at Utumishi Girls High School in Nakuru, expressing the Diocese’s sympathy and prayers for the affected families and school community.
Speaking during the event, the Diocesan Education Secretary, Fr. Paul Sunguti, commended the discipline, commitment, and outstanding achievements recorded by various schools within the Diocese. He noted that the continued success of Catholic-sponsored institutions is a testament to the dedication of teachers, school administrators, parents, learners, and other education stakeholders.
Fr. Sunguti emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration among all partners in the education sector, urging stakeholders to continue working together to strengthen academic excellence, moral formation, and the overall development of learners. He expressed confidence that through teamwork and shared commitment, the Diocese would continue to register even greater achievements in the years ahead.
The Diocese of Kitale Education Day remains one of the most significant events on the diocesan calendar, providing a platform to celebrate educational milestones, strengthen partnerships, and reaffirm the Church’s commitment to providing quality, value-based education that nurtures both academic excellence and moral integrity.
The 2026 celebration concluded with renewed commitment from educators, students, and stakeholders to continue promoting excellence in education while upholding the values that define Catholic learning institutions.