Kongit High School Shine As Students Represent Kenya Team In Cross Country

By Isabella Maua

St. Francis Kongit in Mt. Elgon has emerged at the top of the region by sending eleven students to the national team, with two girls already registered for the Kenyan team.

Speaking with The Times Newspaper at the school premises, the principal, Joseph Nyachwaya, attributed the excellence to hard work and sacrifice from both students and sports teachers.

“We nurture both talents and academics, and as such, our teachers balance both class time and time for practice for the students engaging in sports, not only athletics but also other field events,” mentioned Nyachwaya.

He, however, mentioned that despite the impressive results from the students, they still have many hurdles as a day school to put the region on the map without sufficient equipment.

“Most of the students here come from very humble backgrounds and can’t even afford a meal; imagine the struggle of paying for their school fees or even buying spikes or other game kits,” cited the principal.

The team coach, Kipchoge Siywo, thanked the principal for the full support of the talented students, divulging that they are in the process of coming up with a training camp despite limited resources and a tough economic state.

“We congratulate our students who have toiled through the hardships to reach the national level and even qualify to be on the Kenya team; our efforts together with the principal have indeed been seen,” he marvelled.

Siywo adds: “Sam Muyei and Sharon Cheruto will be representing us in the 800-meter race, while Vanessa Chebet and Dorcas Chepkwemoi, taking part in cross country, will be representing Kenya in Uganda at the African Union Championship in August.”

Dan Chesoli, the head of department for co-curricular activities at Kongit, lauded the principal and coach for their selflessness and resilience in nurturing the students.

“Despite the fact that most of these students, especially girls, come from very needy families, the principal is willingly paying school fees for some of them while working with other stakeholders to provide sanitary towels and foodstuffs to sustain their stay at school,” he divulged.

Dorcas Chepkwemoi, a Form 3 student who’ll be representing Kenya, assured her parents, coach, and teachers that she’d do her best in cross-country but urged local leaders and well-wishers to step in and assist.

“We are grateful for how far we’ve come, but we lack many things, like training shoes, quality fields for training, and proper nutrition during our practice, especially now that schools are closed.