37 years after leaving Mwer Boys, Otare graduates. Schoolmates are clapping

When Siaya Township MCA James Otare graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) last week, it was the culmination of a long journey – one that partly began right here in Siaya West some 37 years ago.

Mr. Otare attended Mwer Boys High School in West Alego and sat his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam in 1989. He was among the students who sat the first KCSE examination.

Speaking to reporters on the graduation day, Mr. Otare described the academic milestone as the fulfilment of a long-held personal ambition.

“It had been my dream that one day I would have a degree certificate. It is a very special day for me being here,” he said.

For Mr. Otare, the achievement was also an opportunity to respond to people he said doubted his ability to pursue higher education.

“Most people believed that I could not go back to school. That is why I wanted to confirm to them that I went back to school, and today I am having a bachelor’s degree,” he said. Mr. Otare graduated with a degree in Development Studies. He enrolled for the programme in 2022. 

For Mr. Otare’s former schoolmates at Mwer Boys, the achievement brought a fresh moment of pride.

“We as the old boys of Mwer, we are very happy with the Hon. Otare for his resilience and determination in ensuring that he achieved his dream. He is a role model to many, and we’re very proud of his achievements,” said Frank Ochung, chairman of the Mwer Boys alumni association.

Other former students have also celebrated the achievement with congratulatory messages. “Congratulations kiongozi,” wrote Auscar Wambiya in a message congratulating Mr. Otare.

Simon Okok recalled Mr. Otare’s performance during their school days, saying he was once the best student in Ethics studies in a Siaya District mock exam. “Greetings to my schoolmate,” Willis Arthur wrote in another message.

Mr. Otare’s path since leaving Mwer Boys has taken him through different careers. He first ventured into business, supplying fish around Siaya, before later working as a boda boda rider.

His political career began in 2002, when he was elected a councillor. He was re-elected in 2007 and later became a mayor. Mr. Otare served as the last mayor of Siaya municipality. Following the introduction of the county government structure, he was elected Member of County Assembly for Siaya Township ward in 2013. Mr. Otare retained the seat in the 2017 and 2022 elections.

For the Mwer Boys alumni community, Mr. Otare’s graduation adds another luminous chapter to the story of their former school and its students. There is an unusual connection between Mwer Boys and the university from which Mr. Otare graduated. Patrick Hayombe, a professor at JOOUST, is also an alumnus of Mwer Boys.

Mwer Boys is the oldest senior school in Siaya West and the only one exclusively for boys.