By BOB AMALEMBA
May 30, 2026| One of Kenya’s leading national schools is set to expand its accommodation capacity after alumni launched the construction of a four-storey dormitory that will house at least 600 students.
The new facility at Butere Girls High School, to be built adjacent to the school library, is being funded by the school’s alumni association in a move aimed at addressing congestion in existing dormitories and improving students’ living conditions.
The project comes at a time when the school’s population has grown to about 6,000 learners, placing increasing pressure on available infrastructure. School administrators say the additional accommodation will help create a more conducive environment for learning and student welfare.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, Chief Principal Linda Nzala lauded the alumni association for its continued support to the institution, noting that its contribution goes beyond infrastructure development.
“We are happy with what you are doing and the mark you are setting in the lives of our learners. Stay blessed,” she said.
Nzala noted that the alumni association has also been instrumental in mentorship programmes, scholarships, career guidance and emotional empowerment initiatives that have benefited thousands of students over the years.
Board member Lawrence Omuhaka, who represented Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, said the school board had sourced and approved a competent contractor to ensure quality work and timely completion of the project.
The groundbreaking ceremony was presided over by ACK Butere Diocese Bishop Rose Okeno, who led the school community in prayer and reflected on Psalm 127, emphasizing the importance of seeking God’s guidance in all undertakings.
“If the Lord does not build the house, the builders labour in vain,” she said.
Alumni Association Chairperson Rosemary Barasa said the project was the former students’ way of giving back to an institution that had shaped their lives and careers.
“We are simply saying thank you to a school that nurtured us into the women we are today,” she said.
Founded in 1957 by the Church Missionary Society and sponsored by the Anglican Church, Butere Girls has grown into one of Kenya’s most respected learning institutions. The school is renowned for academic excellence, strong performances in drama, music and sports, and a distinguished list of alumni that includes education pioneer Prof. Julia Ojiambo, former education director Elizabeth Masiga and renowned scientist Prof. Norah Olembo.
Academically, the school continues to rank among the country’s top performers. In the 2025 KCSE examinations, Butere Girls posted a mean score of 8.168 (B-), with 711 out of 793 candidates attaining the minimum university entry grade of C+ and above, reinforcing its reputation for excellence.
School leaders say the new dormitory will help ensure that infrastructure keeps pace with the institution’s growing population, enabling students to continue excelling both in the classroom and in co-curricular activities.
It’s cool to see alumni giving back like this. How long do you think the construction will take?