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Ogande Girls High School is an extra county government school found in West Kegan Location, Rangwe Constituency, Homa Bay County.
The girls’ only school was established in 1964 as an initiative between the Church Missionary Society and the Kenyan government under the African District Council.
The late Richard Ondeng, who was also an education officer in South Nyanza District, was the founding head teacher.
Over the years, Ogande Girls has been famed for its strong Christian values and discipline, which were cultivated by Principal Rosemary Odette.
During her time, Odette introduced special meals to the school diet. These included fruits, veggies and fried eggs. The common breakfast offerings in the 1980s were quarter loaves and tea.
Since its inception, Ogande Girls has proved to be a hallmark of academic performance. The school whose enrollment stands at 600 has continued to top national examinations for years.
In 2020, Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga’s wife Ida, who is an alumna of the school, spearheaded the construction of an ultra-modern, state-of-the-art information centre at the school.
The Dr Ida Odinga Library, Research, Innovation and Resource Centre was geared towards the use of modern technology to improve reading culture. The project whose cost is approximately Sh300 million will have a capacity of 500 students.
Other than the library, the centre, when complete, will be fitted with an amphitheatre that accommodates 1,000 people, a creative centre, an ICT hub and a recording studio. It will be open to both students and the public.
Former students also remember being entertained by various music groups in the school. Among them was the SDA choir, and the Brass Band. The students also looked forward to talent show days since this was the time they were allowed to exhibit their diverse talents.
This gave them the opportunity to enjoy shows from the best dancers, poets, singers, choir, folk songs, storytelling, puppet shows, and Karate, among others.
Ogande Girls has evidently churned out hardworking women who have immensely contributed to the country’s progress.
Notable alumni who were guided by the school motto, “In faith, we go” include Ida, Jenniffer Otolo, former principal of Ogande Girls, Eunice Akoth, a fashion designer based in Nairobi, the late Rongo University student Sharon Otieno, Hilda Odira, ICT assistant at College of Insurance in South C, Larry Fisher, national hockey coach, Asher Ajuok, an engineer.
Others who wore brown skirts, pullovers and white blouses include Collete Onsongo, a high school teacher, Sarah Odhiambo, a communications manager at DSD Renewables, Winfrida Onsongo, a nurse, and Susan Martin, a travel consultant.
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