Timeline: Rector's Helm at the Seminary
Fr. C.C.B Wolf (The Founding Father)
In 1956 Fr. C.C.B Wolf was appointed by His Lordship Bishop Fredrick Hall to start the Seminary at Rakwaro. Fr. Wolf was one of the Mill Hill Fathers who worked in Africa for about ten years. Some of Father Wolf’s enduring achievements were the introduction of the Seminary band, a very active boy scout and a strong football team which was feared throughout the province.
(1957 - 1965)
Fr. Francis Wessels
Briefly held the helm after the demise of Fr. Wolf.
(1966- 1967)
Fr. Cyril Wandera (The 1st African Rector)
During his Reign, the Seminary maintained a high level of academic excellence and discipline.
(1968 - 1969)
Fr. Pascal Andabe Okwachi
In 1970 Fr. Okwachi replaced Fr. Wandera as the Rector. This was the year when the first form fours sat for their National examinations. In 1973 a pastoral year was introduced for all students who complete form two before they proceeded to form three but was later abandoned.
(1970 - 1973)
Fr. William Rawlinson (Enter the Grade Cows)
In 1974 William Rawlinson replaced Fr. Okwachi. During this time other priest like Fr. Leo and Edmund Fond had joined the Seminary. Brother Fons, a Mill Hill joined the staff as the bursar. Edmund Fond was the one who introduced the Grade cows. The local breed was given out to Okeyo and Nyanjanga. This earned Fr. Ford the name Japuodho meaning the farmer.
(1974)
Fr. John Okanga
[Brief for Fr. John Okanga** Required]
(1975)
Fr. Pascal Andabe Okwachi
Fr. Okwachi first taught in the Seminary from 1958 to 1961. He was the first African priest to do so. He was also the football coach. Fr. Okwachi’s students remember him for the worke he did in leveling the football pitch on the western end of the school. When the beetles were drilling holes in the timber used in the roofing, the Rector gave out 30 cents for every beetle killed. “Operation beetles dead” started unabated. It is rumoured that those students who came from around had ways of smuggling in dead beetle to earn a few more cents.
(1976 - 1991)
Fr. Cosmas Rhagot
In 1992 Fr. Cosmas Rhagot replaced Fr. Okwachi as the Rector. A reputed disciplinarian, his contribution to the positive change of the Seminary reverberated up to today. He introduced the black uniform.
(1992)
Fr. George Okoth
A believer in perfection Fr. George built on what Fr. Cosmas had restarted. Rakwaro once again started excelling in the national examination by being among the top hundred schools. This culminated in Rakwaro being number 15 (fifteen) overall nationally and number 1 (one) in Nyanza during the 1997 KCSE Exams.
(1993 - 1997)
Fr. Basil Ogolla
In September Fr. Basil took over from Fr. George. He continued the sowing of the mustard seed. Mr. Joseph Wasonga, Paul Ochora, Peter Wao, John Angasa and Julias Okemwa were part of the teaching staff. On 29th January 2001, Fr. Basil fell sick and was admitted at St. Paul’s Mission Hospital at Homa- bay. Three days later his condition worsened and was transferred to Tabaka Mission Hospital where he passed on, on 3rd February 2001. There is no amount of words that can describe the magnitude and depth of sorrow and grief that engulfed the Seminary and its environment. It was as if the Seminary community had witnessed death for the first time in living memory. There were prayers intermingled with traditional mourning rituals. The traditional “Oporo” rent the air for one week amidst sobbing and ululation from the women. On 11th February he was laid to rest after a requiem mass concelebrated by Bishops Mairura and Okok. May his soul rest in peace (RIP)
(Sep.1997 - 2001)
Fr. Joachim Ogallo
Fr. Joachim Ogallo took over assisted by Fr. Kizito and Fr. Kawaka and Fr. Omari others who joined were; - Mr. Okumu, Ong’ng’a Olambla, Ayiera’ Abuto, Obwaya, Arunda, Sammy Asigo, Oduol, Onyoni and Oduya. He introduced a double stream to help alleviate the financial problem of the Seminary. His dedication to his work and love for sports is still remembered to date.
(2001 - 2003)
Fr. Lesso
A dedicated teacher, an astute disciplinarian, tireless formator and a very compassionate priest. Old is Gold, the saying goes. Fr. Lesso successfully managed the restructuring and streamlining of the Seminary. His leadership portfolio is beyond reproach albeit the September 2003 student strike which sent the form four, three and part of form twos summary home. It was a time for soul searching and one of the most trying moments in the history y of the seminary. A malignant cancer needs a surgeon. He brought in new blood in the persons of Onayo, Omollo, Ms. Ogao, Oongo, Siriba, Okoyo to achieve that dream.
(2003 - 2008)
Fr. Robert Olima
He worked tirelessly with the teaching staff and the other members of the non-teaching staff for five years upto the end of 2013.
(2009 - 2013)
Fr. George Ochola
In December 1st 2013, the current Rector, Fr. George Ochola, replaced Fr. Olima. He is also a teacher by profession having graduated from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in 2011 and holds a Bachelor of Education degree. With the dedicated staff, the sky is the limit.
(2013 - Current)