Gabriel Okola speaking on behalf of Moi University comrades during a visit by Education CS Julius Migosi on November 30, 2024//Photo Courtesy.
In the lower part of Agolomuok village in Kachieng’ Ward in Nyatike Constituency in Migori County, a child was born, now 25 years ago. His mother could not find any other name, apart from Gabriel–it sufficed her, having lost her beloved husband, just after her delivery.
Raised with only a single parent, Gabriel Okola, commonly known as General Gabriel Okola, having gone through hardships, is a living helm that all dreams are valid, pertaining what perceptions you give to life.
General Okola, now determined and braced to take up the realm of Kachieng’ Ward, runs us through his journey. A journey soaked in the muddle, and a saddle of life threatening experiences. He recollects his life as the second last born in a family of four, dated back in 1999.
“Gabriel Okola is a second last born in a family of four. I was born 25 years ago in the interior section of the lower abdomen of Agolomuok village in Migori County, Nyatike Sub County, Kachieng Ward. I was single handedly raised by my mother after the death of my father, soon after my delivery,” Okola narrated, during a one on one interview with The Nyanza Review.
The 25 years old Okola, now a professional teacher at Moi University secondary school, lacked school fees to see him pursue his secondary education, even after struggling to secure an entry mark.
“I began my primary education at Agolomuok Primary school in the year 2005 and later sat for KCPE in the same school in the year 2013 where I emerged number one. However, due to lack of school fee I did not proceed to secondary school,” admitted Okola.
Could Okola really sit and relax and dump his dream into a trash? No. He could not subscribe to such. His zeal to further his education disturbed his solitary mind. He could not rest.
The ambitious Okola after having a discussion with his mind, took himself to St. Camilus Orphanage home for help. The conditions were tough, but what else could he do? The river seemed deep, but he was sure to cross to the other side. Determination, resilience and patience drove his destiny. He agreed to repeat class 8.
“I personally took myself to Dala Kiye, St Camilus Orphanage home, to seek for sponsorship. They accepted to offer the sponsorship on a condition that I repeat class eight, a decision I received with open arms and without wasting time I joined B.L Tezza Complex Primary School in 2014 as a repeater,” he said.
Okola did his best and proved that he was truly awarded the scholarship on merit. He stultified his worth. He was again offered a scholarship to join B.L Tezza Secondary school, where he was required to pay Kshs. 5000 annually. Surprisingly, his mother struggled to settle this.
“I successfully did my KCPE and passed as per the requirement of the continuation of that sponsorship. As a result, I was offered a chance at B.L Tezza Complex secondary school, just a fence apart. The organisation was paid part of my school fee and I was supposed to pay 5000 /= per year. This was still a hard nut for my single mother to crack and I remember her carrying several bundles of firewood to school to plead with the principal in place of school fee,” he continued.
In high school, Okola’s political dream was hatched. Drove by the love and favour he received from his fellow students, his political desire was drafted. This was a chance he could not let sink. He grabbed it and joined the school politics. He ended his secondary education having won as the school’s President in 2018. In deed, it was a stylish farewell.
“In high school, I was a very disciplined student who found favour both before the students and the teachers. Due to this, I began to try my political luck. In a heated competition in form one, I managed to win a position of time keeper and later in form three went unopposed as the school furniture representative. It was not long before I was duly elected as the school president in 2018 at form four. A position I served in with all my body parts leaving behind undisputed landmarks,” Okola said happily.
Not only did his diligence propel his future leadership positions, but also secured him an admission to Moi University, having scored a B plain in KCSE. He was enrolled in the school of Education to persue BSc. in Education (Mathematics and Physics option).
Okola did not find it easy at the University. It was a struggle after another, bearing in mind family background. However, Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), came for his rescue. He found favour in the eye of the loan and his life entirely depended on it. His political aspiration hatched in secondary school was not left behind. He was determined to vie in first year, but was dismissed due to missing marks, as the marks had not been updated on the portal.
“At the University, life was not easy at all but found solace in HELB loan which I entirely depended on to pay my school fee and for my sustenance. Nevertheless, I proceeded with my political ambitions and presented myself for the position of first years representative which I won with a landslide. When the general elections came by, I also submitted my application which were dismissed during nominations on the basis of lack of marks since I was a first year student,” asserted Okola.
With hopes raised high, Okola did not lose his lane. However, luck did not hug him during his several attempts to clinch any leadership role in the university, but has stood out and has been recognised as an activist and a voice for the voiceless.
“I later vied for two consecutive seasons but failed. I finished my university studies in 2023 December and proceeded with my teaching journey at Moi University High School where I was absorbed in after my teaching practice in 2022.”
Perhaps, a bigger share awaits. Kachieng’ Ward is beckoning. He is poised to serve his people, his native land – a land that bears a true picture to his struggles. Okola, has embarked on a journey to make life a paradise for his people. He has identified fishing as a main economic activity in his area, but the activity has not been fully explored for the benefit of the locals.
“Kachieng’ Ward as it is, is a land endowed with a lake as a natural resource where fishing is taking place. As a young visionary youth who was born and raised in this land, I strongly feel that this available resource should be used effectively to change the lives of people around , whose main economic activity is fishing, something I haven’t seen any of my MCAs doing before or even now. As the son of the soil, I am aware of the problems which our people have faced in the past and those that they are facing right now which indeed require the intervention of someone who has been a victim like me,” he declared.
Okola who awaits graduation this year has, however, complained of lack of funds in his bid to secure and drive his political warehouse, but he believes, that is not any news, because many experience such and still maneuver with their course.
“As it is in Kenya today and so Kachieng’ Ward is not an exception, people tend to believe that the e ability to lead is directly proportional to the depth of the pocket such that the deeper the pocket, the more you are likely to win and the vice versa leads to an automatic fail. As a very young person who is still fresh from the university, having not been in any job market , I may not be in a position to have enough liquid cash to efficiently help me manage and run my campaigns as expected by most of the people today.’’
Biblically alluding, Okola uses a story of David in the Bible to air out that anyone can be chosen, despite age, status, education among others. He is confident that if accorded the opportunity to lead, Kachieng’ Ward shall rise and become elevated. Okola affirmed that being born and bred in the vicinity, he knows how to handle projects which means well for the people.
“To the great people of Kachieng, leadership is a gift from God. Neither age nor wealth determines a good leader. David , however young he was ,in the family of Jesse, was chosen to lead God’s chosen team and even Joseph, a desperate servant in the King’s palace, was equally elevated and lead with wisdom .Regardless of my age and wealth background, I am confident that given an opportunity , I have all it takes to manage and lead the my blessed Ward of Kachieng’.
He has promised to perform in the best interest of the people, as he awaits 2027, to officially declare his candidacy. The Kachieng’ Ward is currently under the leadership of Hon. Brian Osodo, whom Okola acknowledges and recognizes as his mentor. Hon. Osodo is in his second term.
“Being someone who was born in a family where wealth was not a usual term, I am sure that given an opportunity , I will not only look into the progress of the already established institutions but also elevate the lives of our people in terms of empowerment to improve the living standards of our people. I promise to give my best for the interest of the present and the future of our ward,” promised Okola.
