The Consortium of Secondary Schools Alumni Associations of Kenya (Cossaak) has renewed its push for formal recognition of its members in the governance of education institutions, calling for representation on boards of management and stronger safeguarding frameworks.
Mr Maurice Nduranu, president of Cossaak, said they seek to change the trend where alumni associations have operated independently, guided by loyalty to their schools: “What would happen if these efforts were connected, aligned, and combined for the greater good?”
He was speaking during a Cossaak dinner on Friday, December 20, which brought together alumni leaders, partners and sponsors.
He noted that from six founding associations in 2013, the consortium has grown to 74 member associations, creating a platform for alumni to share experiences and contribute meaningfully to their schools.
Alumni, the president said, are not just spectators in education but key stakeholders.
“Education is too important to be left to any one actor alone,” Mr Nduranu said. “Our mission is to turn alumni into a force for good, not only for schools, but also for communities and the nation.”
He called on fellow alumni leaders to take action, urging them to leverage mentorship, governance, literacy, wellness and other platforms for national development.
“If you lead, serve in, or belong to an alumni association, Cossaak is calling you to powerful commitments,” he urged.
Nation Media Group Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Odundo, who delivered the keynote address, said the media plays a critical role beyond reporting events, describing it as a convener that brings together ideas, institutions and communities to drive collective action.
He said NMG’s engagement with Cossaak reflects its belief that education is a shared national responsibility that cannot be addressed by a single stakeholder.
“At its best, media is a convener, a platform where ideas meet, partnerships form, and collective action begins,” Mr Odundo said.
He emphasised that strengthening Kenya’s education system requires close collaboration among alumni associations, educators, government, the private sector and the media.
Quality, relevant content
Moreover, he said, NMG’s long-standing investment in education is anchored in its mission to positively influence society, pointing to initiatives such as the Newspapers in Education (NiE) programme, which promotes literacy and critical thinking among learners.
According to the NMG boss, access to relevant learning content helps students engage more confidently with the world and improves both academic performance and long-term life outcomes.
“When learners have access to quality, relevant content, they read more, think more critically, and engage more confidently,” Mr Odundo said, adding that literacy remains a foundation for sustainable national development.
He argued that partnerships with alumni associations create opportunities to scale impact beyond the classroom, with initiatives like the Nation Media Foundation’s work in education, literacy and mentorship serving as examples.
Collaboration should be seen as a strategic investment in the country’s future, rather than isolated interventions, he said.
The group’s Secretary General, Louise Nyamu, said the consortium aims to build a national platform that enables alumni associations to have tangible impact on education and development.
She further noted that while 74 alumni associations are currently part of the consortium, the ambition is to reach all secondary schools nationwide.
“There are over 10,000 secondary schools in this country, and we want to reach each and every one of them,” Ms Nyamu said, urging members to help grow the network and strengthen its national footprint.
According to her, alumni engagement goes beyond social connections, describing it as a vehicle for mentorship, resource mobilisation and institutional support.
Cossaak’s partnerships and resource mobilisation working group lead, Frank Mutua, said alumni associations across the country face common structural challenges, particularly limited influence in school decision-making despite their contributions.
He said the consortium is lobbying for changes to allow alumni representation on school boards and is engaging policymakers to address gaps in existing legislation.
“Alumni do not sit with equal rights on boards, yet they are key stakeholders,” Mr Mutua said.
Cossaak said it is also engaging national task forces in the hope that proposed reforms will open space for alumni participation in governance.
Its partnerships are anchored on transparency, integrity and a national outlook, citing ongoing collaborations with financial institutions and media organisations aimed at strengthening alumni initiatives.
Alumni associations are not adequately recognised as stakeholders in school management under the Basic Education Act, 2013, a gap that has prompted calls for legislative reform.
“The current law does not clearly provide for the role of alumni in governance and decision-making within schools,” said Dr Selpher Cheloti, who leads Cossaak’s policy, lobbying and communications working group, adding that the consortium has already submitted memoranda proposing amendments to address the omission.
“When we examined the framework within which alumni operate, we realised there was no policy framework at all,” Dr Cheloti said, explaining that in many schools alumni are mostly engaged when they can offer financial support but are excluded from management discussions.
She said Cossaak is optimistic that the Basic Education Bill, 2024, once assented to, will provide for alumni representation on boards of management.
Dr Cheloti also raised concern over cases of misconduct and abuse reported in some schools, saying alumni associations often feel powerless despite wanting to intervene. She called on the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission to strengthen safeguarding and professional conduct policies.
“Learners come to school and teachers become surrogate parents. Parents should never be anxious about the safety of their children while they are in school,” she said, adding that principals should be held accountable for malpractice within their institutions.
