Pupils honour Mwalimu Mr Francis Katungu Mwangangi

Pupils honour Mwalimu Mr Francis Katungu Mwangangi

Mwalimu Francis Katungu Mwangangi addresses his pupils and friends during appreciation ceremony for his teaching service. Photo by MUSYOKA NGUI

By MUSYOKA NGUI

A mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. - William Arthur Ward

“Ava, I trust the visit to Mzee Francis Mwangangi is proceeding well. I would have loved to join you but I find it impossible to extricate myself from the commitments in Nairobi. Maybe you can call me and connect me to a loud speaker if you have one with you. In any event please convey my goodwill message to Mwalimu Francis to whom we shall all remain greatly indebted for his mentorship when we needed it most. Regards. SK Musyoka class of 1960-1967.The above text is authored by Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, the Wiper party leader and former Vice President who is one of Mr Mwangangi's pupils.

Mr Jerimoth Mwasya, a Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) representative sent his apologies thus: “Please give my apology and tell the congregation I honour and recognize Mr Mwangangi’s good work. On behalf of the KNUT, which I am sure he was a member, wish him God’s blessings and to live long”.

Mr Mwangangi is celebrated by his former pupils aka alumni for the great mentorship and discipline he helped raise the youth from ignorance and illiteracy to leading lights in the society.

The pupils thanked God for keeping their teacher fit long after retirement. Some of his pupils have also retired. Kitui County Government used the event to educate the public about the government policy of National Social Security Insurance (NSSF). With only Sh.1000 premium payment the public can enjoy free medical bill payment if they fall sick. Mr Mwangangi was one of the customers registered on his retirement bash.

The alumni of Tseikuru, Kyulungwa and Mivukoni primary schools honoured their teacher with a certificate of appreciation. He taught the pupils for 32 years (1962-1994). They celebrated him for his great inspiration, high level of integrity, great skills of leadership, time management, mentorship, coaching and discipline. The alumni of the above schools also undertook the finishing of a plot at Tseikuru market in appreciation of Mwalimu Francis Katungu Mwangangi.

His church, The Independent Faith Baptist Church celebrated Mr Mwangangi as a staunch Christian and role model for the youth. In his sermon, Reverend David Mwanzia challenged the working class to invest and prepare for their retirement. He also read 1 Samuel 12:2-5 and Titus 2:7 where he called upon the working class to render services to God’s creation wholeheartedly and be able to stand for integrity. He warned the youth to shun corruption. Below is an excerpt from the Bible: 1 Samuel 12:3-4 Behold, here I am, witness against me before the Lord, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? Or whose ass have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? And I will restore it to you.

And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man’s hand. –King James Version Bible.

Notable community leaders were educated by Mr Mwangangi. All major professions were represented-except the oldest (tongue in cheek joke).

Mr Mwangangi received many gifts from his pupils both in cash and in kind.  In the end, the pupils presented their teacher a cake baked by them and fed him. It was written: Mr Mwangangi 15.9.2018 Appreciation of good services.

A buffet was prepared for the pupils to celebrate their teacher. Everyone was free to leave at their own pleasure.