The long wait is finally over. After two years of hope, hard work and unwavering faith, MM Shah Primary School’s iconic 67-seater Isuzu FVR 34S Turbo Engine school bus has finally arrived, gleaming in official colours and commanding admiration across Kisumu.
The official launch, slated for Wednesday, November 12, will not just mark the unveiling of a modern transport marvel; it will celebrate a story of resilience, leadership and collective commitment that has redefined what determination can achieve in the education sector.
The journey began as a daring idea from Mr. Oriedi, the school’s Head of Institution, a man whose vision for MM Shah has consistently gone beyond academics. The school had initially planned to secure the bus through a loan facility, but when the Ministry of Education declined the request due to unforeseen financial restrictions, the dream seemed momentarily out of reach.
Yet, instead of surrendering, the setback became fuel for determination. “If we can’t borrow, we shall build,” Oriedi told parents during one of the meetings. That declaration sparked one of the most inspiring community-driven initiatives in recent memory.
Parents, driven by belief and trust in Oriedi’s Solomonic leadership, began contributing towards the dream. Over seven terms, each parent faithfully contributed, raising an impressive Ksh. 12 million. Their dedication was later matched by the unwavering support of Kisumu Central MP, Dr. Joshua Oron, who honored his promise by channeling Ksh. 8 million from the CDF kitty to complete the funding.
Together, the community raised the full Ksh. 18.8 million needed to purchase the bus, plus Ksh. 700,000 for insurance coverage.
The arrival of a masterpiece
Now, standing proudly in the school compound is the latest Isuzu double-axle FVR 34S, a powerhouse equipped with a Turbo Engine, the very definition of class, power and reliability. Its interior is top-notch, boasting plush, high-quality seating, superior safety features and a modern finish that rivals any luxury coach on Kenyan roads.
For a public primary school, this is not just a bus, it is a statement. A declaration that determination and transparency in leadership can make even the boldest dreams come true.
As news of the bus’s arrival spreads, joy and pride ripple through the MM Shah community.
“When we started, some parents doubted if it would ever happen,” says Mrs. Millicent Akinyi, a long-time parent. “But today, when we see the bus parked right there, we know our money built it. It is a victory for all of us.”
Leadership that built a legacy
The success of this project reflects Mr. Oriedi’s rare brand of leadership. He is wise, steady and transparent. Despite criticism, doubt and policy hurdles, he held the school’s vision together, inspiring parents, teachers and even external stakeholders to believe in the mission.
Education officials in Kisumu have hailed the project as a model of school-based innovation, noting that it aligns perfectly with the government’s policy encouraging learning institutions to initiate self-sustaining projects that complement Free Primary Education funding.
Beyond its beauty and comfort, the bus represents a strategic investment. It will ease transport for pupils during academic and co-curricular trips, enhance school identity and serve as an income-generating asset when hired out during weekends and holidays.
The project demonstrates that when schools think beyond the classroom, they can unlock new streams of sustainability and independence, all while enhancing learners’ experiences.
A legacy in motion
For Mr. Oriedi, this bus is more than a purchase; it is a legacy milestone…proof that vision, when coupled with unity, can turn impossibility into motion. For parents, it is a symbol of pride and a lesson to their children that success is built through sacrifice and perseverance.
As the 67-seater roars to life next week during its grand launch, MM Shah will not just be unveiling a vehicle. It will be unveiling a dream fulfilled, a chapter written in courage and cooperation and a new standard for educational excellence in the lakeside region.
Indeed, MM Shah’s journey from idea to ignition is a testament to one truth: When people believe, they build and when they build together, they arrive.
