Maseno School
Encyclopedia
Maseno School is one of the oldest schools in Kenya
. It was established in 1906 by the Missionaries of the Church Missionary Society (CMS) as a school for the children of African chiefs. The first administrator of the school was Rev. James Jamieson Willis fondly remembered as J.J Willis.
In 1905, Willis was sent to explore the Kavirondo
or lake region of Kenya as a prospective place for the establishment of a mission. After touring the area Willis pitched tent under a Hickory
tree (carya ovalis) known in the local languages as oseno (Luo
) and omseno (Luhya). That particular place was proposed to be the site of the new mission and in 1906, a chapel, the Rock of Ages, later known as St. Pauls Chapel was built next to the tree. The place became known as Maseno
and in 1906 the Missionaries established Maseno School. The first students were six sons of African chiefs. The establishment of the school in the area attracted youthful boys from all over Western Kenya. Besides reading and writing, students were taught various skills such as carpentry, tailoring, printing, building, telegraphy and clerical work. Teacher training was introduced in 1920 to train teachers who would in turn teach new students. Those who studied at the school were tested at the end of their courses and awarded certificates.
at the mission. The swimming pool which has since disappeared, was the only one of its kind in East Africa. It was situated near a grove by two streams flowing down Bunyore
hills.
Edward Carey Francis, came to Kenya as a missionary and teacher from Cambridge UK and the colonial office helped secure him a job as headmaster at Maseno School in December 1927. His illustrious administration of Maseno School attracted other teachers from Cambridge and the school became an academic oasis in East Africa. Francis headed Maseno School from 1928-1940.
Maseno Mission continued to support the school. A veterinary school, teacher training college and a nursing school were set up at Maseno. The veterinary school was established in 1935, while the nursing school was established in 1935 to train nursing assistants and midwives. The teachers' training college named Siriba Teachers Training College was established in 1940 and in 50 years later merged with the Government Training Institute at Maseno to become Maseno University
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. It was established in 1906 by the Missionaries of the Church Missionary Society (CMS) as a school for the children of African chiefs. The first administrator of the school was Rev. James Jamieson Willis fondly remembered as J.J Willis.
In 1905, Willis was sent to explore the Kavirondo
Kavirondo
Kavirondo is the former name of the region surrounding Kavirondo Gulf as well as of two native peoples living there under the regime of British East Africa...
or lake region of Kenya as a prospective place for the establishment of a mission. After touring the area Willis pitched tent under a Hickory
Hickory
Trees in the genus Carya are commonly known as hickory, derived from the Powhatan language of Virginia. The genus includes 17–19 species of deciduous trees with pinnately compound leaves and big nuts...
tree (carya ovalis) known in the local languages as oseno (Luo
Luo
Luo may refer to:*Luo , a group of related African ethnic groups.*Luo , a people of Kenya and Tanzania, part of the above named group...
) and omseno (Luhya). That particular place was proposed to be the site of the new mission and in 1906, a chapel, the Rock of Ages, later known as St. Pauls Chapel was built next to the tree. The place became known as Maseno
Maseno
Maseno is a town in Kisumu District of Nyanza Province, Kenya. It is located along Kisumu - Busia highway 20 kilometers northwest of Kisumu, the provincial capital. Another road connects Maseno to Vihiga town, located 15 kilometers east of Maseno....
and in 1906 the Missionaries established Maseno School. The first students were six sons of African chiefs. The establishment of the school in the area attracted youthful boys from all over Western Kenya. Besides reading and writing, students were taught various skills such as carpentry, tailoring, printing, building, telegraphy and clerical work. Teacher training was introduced in 1920 to train teachers who would in turn teach new students. Those who studied at the school were tested at the end of their courses and awarded certificates.
Influential Administrators
Canon Stansfield, a doctor and clergyman. Stansfield implemented various reforms which included variation of diet and helped construct a swimming poolSwimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
at the mission. The swimming pool which has since disappeared, was the only one of its kind in East Africa. It was situated near a grove by two streams flowing down Bunyore
Bunyore
Bunyore is a location in Vihiga district in the western province of Kenya, largely occupied by speakers of the Nyole dialect of the Luhya tribe. In the local language, the place is known as Ebunyole and its people Abanyole...
hills.
Edward Carey Francis, came to Kenya as a missionary and teacher from Cambridge UK and the colonial office helped secure him a job as headmaster at Maseno School in December 1927. His illustrious administration of Maseno School attracted other teachers from Cambridge and the school became an academic oasis in East Africa. Francis headed Maseno School from 1928-1940.
Maseno Mission continued to support the school. A veterinary school, teacher training college and a nursing school were set up at Maseno. The veterinary school was established in 1935, while the nursing school was established in 1935 to train nursing assistants and midwives. The teachers' training college named Siriba Teachers Training College was established in 1940 and in 50 years later merged with the Government Training Institute at Maseno to become Maseno University
Maseno University
Maseno University is a university based in Maseno, near Kisumu, in Kenya and was founded in 1991. It is one of the seven public universities in Kenya. The University is located in Maseno Township along Kisumu-Busia road, some 25 km from Kisumu City and 400 km west of Nairobi. It has two campuses:...