Makueni MP Susan Kiamba (in Pink), St. Martin Kathonzweni Boys' Principal Patrick Wambua and other stakeholders during the flagging off of the Kathonzweni School Bus. Photo by Komu Musango. 
By Andrew Mbuva.
The acquisition of a new school bus at St. Martin Kathonzweni Boys Secondary School in Makueni County has been hailed as a testament to the power of partnership, patience and visionary leadership, with Makueni MP Susan Kiamba urging schools and communities to embrace bold dreams that inspire development.
The bus, jointly funded by parents and the Makueni National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), was officially commissioned during a ceremony attended by Kathonzweni MCA Kennedy Maneno, Makueni NG-CDF Chairman Daniel Kavoi, education stakeholders, parents and local leaders.
Speaking during the handover, Kiamba commended the school's Board of Management, parents and administration for taking the initiative to partner with the NG-CDF to make the long-awaited project a reality.
She said development begins with visionary ideas, noting that communities that dare to dream are better positioned to attract support and transform lives.
"What we are seeing in this school is the result of determination and commitment. I congratulate the parents, the Board of Management and the school leadership for taking the bold step of partnering with the NG-CDF to bring this bus to the school," she said.
The MP observed that many people fail to realize their potential because they do not dream beyond their current circumstances.
"It is dreams that drive development. When you have a good idea, it attracts like-minded people who help make that dream a reality. If the principal and the board had not dreamt of acquiring this bus, even the NG-CDF would not have had an opportunity to support the project," she added.
Kiamba also praised students for their patience, noting that although the idea of purchasing the bus was conceived two years ago, it took time before the project could be completed.
She encouraged the learners to embrace patience and perseverance as they pursue their ambitions, expressing confidence that the school would continue growing if teachers and the administration were supported in implementing their vision.
The legislator further pledged to support the construction of a modern science laboratory to improve science education at the institution.
The School Principal Patrick Wambua lauded the collaboration between parents, the NG-CDF and the constituency leadership, describing the commissioning of the bus as a historic milestone in the school's development.
He said the bus symbolizes more than transport, representing progress, partnership and renewed hope for the institution's future.
"For many years, acquiring a school bus was a shared dream among students, parents, teachers and the Board of Management. Today that dream has become a reality. We are not just receiving a vehicle, but celebrating progress and a brighter future for our learners," said Wambua.
He thanked MP Kiamba and the Makueni NG-CDF for their unwavering commitment to improving education, saying the investment would benefit generations of students.
The principal revealed that the school currently has an enrolment of 724 students served by 39 teachers, including 35 employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and four hired by the Board of Management.
Despite recording significant academic progress, he said the school continues to face a shortage of teachers in key subjects, including English, Chemistry, Biology, Home Science and Music, following the failure to replace a teacher who left two years ago.
He appealed to the MP to engage the Teachers Service Commission to facilitate the deployment of additional teachers.
The school has recorded a steady improvement in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) performance, with more than 380 former students gaining admission to universities in recent years.
Building on the momentum, the school is targeting a mean score of 7.8 in the 2026 KCSE examinations while increasing the number of students qualifying for university admission.
Beyond academics, the institution has also invested in major development projects, including the installation of a solar power system, establishment of a school bakery and acquisition of additional textbooks to improve learning.
The principal noted that the new school bus will greatly enhance participation in educational tours, sports competitions, music festivals, benchmarking visits and other co-curricular activities while reducing the cost of hiring transport.
He, however, appealed for further support to construct and equip a modern computer laboratory, saying the existing facility accommodates only 40 students at a time despite the current Grade 10 class having 320 learners.
"In today's digital world, computer literacy is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Our students deserve access to modern ICT facilities that will prepare them for higher education and the job market," he said.
He also called for the construction of an additional science laboratory to strengthen practical learning in Chemistry, Biology and other science subjects, saying expanded facilities would significantly improve students' performance and support the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The commissioning of the new bus and the pledge for additional infrastructure were widely welcomed by parents and education stakeholders, who expressed optimism that the continued partnership between the community and the NG-CDF would accelerate the school's transformation into one of the leading learning institutions in Makueni County.
