Educationist returns to seminary 70 years after teaching there

By Lawrence Ongaro

A retired teacher and longtime educationist, Mr Gabriel Gaitho, surprised staff and students at Kiserian Catholic Junior Seminary when he paid them an impromptu visit, 70 years after he taught at the school.

Mwalimu Gaitho, 92, was one of the teachers at the institution in 1956.

He taught seminarians in intermediate classes (Standard 5 to 8) soon after graduating as a P3 teacher from Kilimambogo Teachers College.

“It was then called the Conception Immaculate Seminary, Kiserian,” the retiree told students and staff.

During the visit, Mr Gaitho’s son, Dr Vincent Gaitho, who is also the chairman of the Mount Kenya University (MKU) Council, accompanied him together with other siblings, namely Mwalimu Mrs Eveline Wambui Kiarie, formerly a tutor at Machakos Teachers College; Father Francis Wairegi Gaitho of the Nairobi Archdiocese; and Mrs Hellen Gichuru Gaitho.

The former teacher encouraged students to remain focused in their studies and pursue future opportunities.

“Though you are studying in a Catholic seminary, the world is available for you as religious leaders or in other careers that the world may offer,” he said.

He also encouraged them to seek opportunities for advancing their education, noting that late vocation for religious people is possible. Mr Gaitho informed students that pursuing a career as clergy does not deny individuals the chance to advance into other professions. He noted that the church and humanity require well-prepared individuals capable of delivering transformation founded on morals, integrity and honesty.

Seminary history and early teaching career

Welcoming the guests, the Father Rector in Charge, Rev Joseph Waratho, expressed his joy at receiving someone who taught at the school 70 years ago. He said students and teachers had much to learn from the nonagenarian.

Mwalimu Gaitho said the seminary was initially established at the present site of Kilimambogo Teachers College, making it a precursor to the college. From Kilimambogo, the seminary was temporarily moved to Kabaa in Machakos County, where it operated for two years before relocating to Kiserian in 1956. Father Grogan was the rector (headteacher), while other teachers included Father Crimine and Father MacCarthy.

Father Rector in Charge at Kiserian Junior Seminary, Rev Joseph Waratho (seated centre left), with some of his students when they welcomed a former teacher at the school, Mr Gabriel Gaitho (seated centre). Mwalimu Gaitho, 92, taught at the institution in 1956. Photo/ Courtesy

His fellow teachers included the late bishops Urbanus Kioko of Machakos Diocese and Raphael Ndingi mwana’a Nzeki of Nairobi Diocese, both of whom had returned for their probationary year from senior seminary school at Morogoro, Tanzania, after completing their philosophy studies. Another teacher was Mr Henry Thou, a carpentry instructor.

In 1957, Mwalimu Gaitho returned to his home area in Gatundu North, where he started an Intermediate Class at Kamwangi Primary School. The following year (1958), he returned to Kilimambogo Teachers College for an upgrading course to Primary (P2) grade.

Growth in education

After his P2 training in 1959, Mwalimu Gaitho was posted to teach at Kiriko Intermediate School. In 1961, he was transferred to Mariaini (Mataara) Intermediate School. It was later decided that Mataara Intermediate School for girls be swapped with Kiriko Intermediate School for boys, and Mwalimu Gaitho moved with the boys to Mataara in 1961.

In the middle of the second term in 1961, unrest broke out at Kiriko Intermediate School for girls. To manage the situation, Mwalimu Gaitho was transferred to the girls’ school as headmaster.

Throughout this period, he continued his academic studies as a private candidate under the tutelage of Rapid Results College. In 1961, he sat and passed his Cambridge O’Levels, after which he left primary education to begin a career as a secondary school teacher at Kiriko Secondary School in 1966.

The following year, he was upgraded to Secondary School (S1) status after attending a course at the Institute of Adult Studies in Nairobi, where he qualified with an equivalent of GCE A’Level and University Entrance Examination. In 1968, he gained admission to the University of Nairobi to pursue a degree in Education (History, Geography and Psychology).

After graduation, the educationist returned to Kilimambogo Teachers College as a tutor and later served as deputy principal. During his tenure as a tutor, he won a 10-month scholarship to study comparative education in Australia, where he was attached to Sydney University.

Legacy and influence in education

Mwalimu Gaitho retired in 1992, having taught in several primary and secondary schools and colleges. Among the institutions he served was Gathiruini Secondary School, where he worked for 13 years before retiring. It was at this school that he taught Prof Gicharu.

Among his many students, he recalls Prof Simon Gicharu, founder and chairman of the Board at MKU, and Mr Mwangi Mbothu, Chief Principal at Kianyaga High School.

Reflecting his father’s career path, Dr Vincent Gaitho, chairman of the MKU Council and Pro-Chancellor, described MKU as a beneficiary of Mwalimu Gaitho’s influence, particularly in advancing education.

“As it were, MKU offers Bachelor of Education programmes in Arts, Science, Primary Education and Special Needs Education. There are also Master of Education programmes with specialisations like Educational Counselling Psychology, Educational Management Administration and Special Needs Education,” he said.

“We also offer Diplomas in Early Childhood Studies and in Special Needs Education as well as Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE). For tutors, there is the Teacher Professional Development (TPD) programme, accredited by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). MKU also offers flexible learning modes, including online and distance learning, making it accessible for working teachers,” he added.