From Shadows to Spotlight: How a Humble Day School in Likuyani is Rewriting the Rules of Success

 

By Godfrey Wamalwa 

In the quiet plains of Likuyani Sub-County, where maize fields stretch for miles and boda bodas ferry students to school each morning, a silent revolution is unfolding. Matunda S.A Secondary School, once considered just another rural day school, is emerging as a shining model of academic excellence and social impact.

The engine behind this transformation? A soft-spoken yet fiercely determined woman: Principal Mary Luvanda.

When she assumed leadership in 2021, few could have predicted the sweeping changes she would bring. The school, like many in rural Kenya, struggled with limited resources, under-enrollment, and modest academic outcomes. But Luvanda arrived with a vision — one built on discipline, equity, and a belief in the untapped potential of every learner.

Fast forward to the 2024 KCSE results: 194 out of 452 candidates secured direct university admission. The school posted a mean score of 6.244 — a performance that not only turned heads but firmly planted Matunda S.A in conversations normally reserved for national schools and elite boarding institutions.

“We are proof that circumstances do not define outcomes,” Luvanda says, seated in her modest office, walls adorned with motivational quotes and students’ achievement charts. “What matters is leadership, consistency, and community.”

This year, with 370 candidates preparing to sit the KCSE, the school is setting its sights even higher — a target mean score of 7.5. Teachers, now known for their unwavering dedication, often arrive before sunrise and stay long after classes end, offering remedial lessons, mentorship, and moral guidance.

But what truly sets Matunda S.A apart is its heart. At the core of Luvanda’s leadership is a deep empathy for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Through a charitable fund she personally initiated, dozens of needy but bright students have found a lifeline — their school fees and basic needs fully catered for from Form One to Form Four.

“For many of these students, this school is more than a place to learn — it’s a second chance at life,” she says.

The school’s roll has grown rapidly to over 1,200 students, drawing learners from across and even beyond Likuyani. Parents speak of newfound hope. Alumni return to share their university experiences. And local leaders are rallying behind plans to expand infrastructure to accommodate the growing demand.

In an education system often criticized for inequality and urban bias, Matunda S.A Secondary School stands as a quiet disruptor — a model for what’s possible when leadership meets purpose.

Discipline is tight but not oppressive. Students are routinely engaged in mentorship, and every success — however small — is celebrated. There is a palpable sense of pride here, not just in the grades, but in the journey.

“I want our story to show that excellence isn’t exclusive,” Luvanda says with conviction. “You can be in a rural school with dusty floors and crowded classes and still produce brilliance.”

As the 2025 academic year advances, there’s a growing buzz around the school. Education officials, NGOs, and even policymakers are taking note. There are talks of partnerships, possible government support, and efforts to replicate the Matunda model in other counties.

But for now, Principal Luvanda and her team remain focused. The goal remains the same: teach, nurture,

June 19, 2025