The current Butere Girls principal is Mrs Jephiner Omondi. This is probably one of the most scandal-hit national schools in the country. Before the entry Mrs Jephiner, her predecessor, Dorah Okalo, was making headlines courtesy of a controversial play titled Shackles of Doom that was presented by Butere Girls at the drama festivals. The masterpiece by Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala tackled issues ranging from corruption, tribalism and inequality in Kenya. The play was banned but the message was home.
Her troubles did not end there. In 2016 she was transferred from the institution to Nyakach Girls’ High School in Nyanza after a fallout with the sponsoring church ACK. The Butere ACK Bishop Tom Wambunya orchestrated the move by writing to the Teacher Service Commission demanding that Okalo be kicked out of the institution after she declined the church to hive part of their school land for the church’s development projects. The Bishop on his part said the move was as a result of poor performance “in national results every year for the last five years….” adding that the school only posted 0.5 improvement in the KCSE examination.
Her successor Mrs Jephiner Omondi has not been spared from drama. In 2019, a form 3 student took her life leaving behind a suicide note that indicated she was scared of being sent home. The note read:
“Forgive me my sister for what I have done. I want to join mum and dad in heaven because I cannot take being sent away from school.”
In 2021, a student named Maureen Nzilani Mutua disappeared from the institution without a trace. According to the principal, the form one student sneaked from the school on May 15, 2021 while attending church. The school has over 2000 students and this probably explains the difficulties in handling the students in some instances.
Performance
Even with these hiccups, the school has continued to post good results thanks to the able stewardship of the principal. Here is a chart of the 2020 candidates performed.
Co-curricular Activities
Butere Girls is a powerhouse when it comes to drama. The school play Shackles of Doom reached the national level even after being temporarily banned for speaking against corruption and ethnicity. The school made a comeback in 2018 with a play titled “It is well” that scooped top honors at the Western Region Drama Festival. The playwright of the play was Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala.
Alumni
Lady Justice Joyce Aluoch-first Kenyan judge at The Hague
Lady Justice Effie Owuor-Kenya’s first female High Court judge
Mary Okello-Kenya’s first female bank manager and founder of Makini Schools
Prof Florida Karani, the first woman Chancellor of Maseno University.
Ambassador Orie Rogo-Manduli
Prof Julia Ojiambo-former Wiper party presidential running mate and also the first woman MP from Western Kenya.
Dr Naomi Shaban
Rachael Ruto-Deputy President William Ruto’s wife
Elizabeth Masiga-first woman chief inspector of schools and director of education
Prof Norah Olembo-world-renown research scientist
