For Jessica Onzera, the head teacher of Masungutsa Primary School in Kakamega County, a visit to Jomo Kenyatta Public Beach in Mombasa was an entirely new experience.
As other teachers changed into swimming costumes and plunged into the Indian Ocean, she chose to remain in her beautiful dress, and watch from a distance.
She had not come prepared for a swim. In fact, she admitted she did not know much about what people did at the beach and had not bought a swimsuit.
“I am scared. I have just come to see what is going on but next time, I will feel more free. It is my first time in Mombasa and at the beach; it is nice and there is a good breeze. I like it and I want to come back again and again,” she said.
For Ms Onzera, the afternoon was an introduction to a new experience. For thousands of her colleagues attending the 2026 Kenya Comprehensive School Heads Association (KECSHA) annual conference in Mombasa, it was an opportunity to put aside the pressures of school administration and enjoy a well-earned break.
When Basic Education Principal Secretary Mr John Ololtuaa encouraged the more than 15,000 public school administrators attending the conference to visit the beach and unwind, many took his invitation seriously.
The PS said conference sessions are scheduled to end before 2.00 pm, giving the school heads time to explore Mombasa's attractions and experience the Indian Ocean.
Head teachers flock to the Jomo Kenyatta Public Beach on Wednesday, November 12. They are in Mombasa for the 2026 Kenya Comprehensive School Heads Association (KECSHA) annual conference.
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation
Mr Ololtuaa, a former Principal Secretary for Tourism, said he wanted the administrators to sample the country's tourism products, particularly those along the Coast.
“I was PS Tourism before I was transferred to Education, and, in fact, my colleagues branded me a tourist attraction because I was very keen to ensure visitors coming to our country visited our tourism products. I also boosted domestic tourism. You need to sample a few areas as administrators,” he said.
But his appeal was not only about tourism. Drawing from his own experience as a teacher and school principal, he challenged administrators who had not attended previous conferences to make an effort to participate.
“I want to appreciate the KECSHA team for organising this national conference and all the heads of institutions who have purposed to attend. I have been a head teacher for many years and understand the purpose of attending these conferences. They are important for learning, exchanging ideas and understanding the transformation agenda for education,” he said.
Mr Ololtuaa recalled attending the annual conferences between 1998 and 2005 when he was a secondary school principal.
He said the gatherings had played an important role in shaping his professional life, making him a better manager and educator.
“That is why I sat without an inch of movement, listening attentively to each and every speaker. I understand the meaning and value of listening. Many times, as a PS, I handle more than 100 people in the office in Nairobi, and hardly get time to breathe, listen and learn. So, when I was told to stay in the VIP section, I refused because I wanted to listen,” he said.
The former classroom teacher, who taught English, Literature, Christian Religious Education and History before becoming a principal for seven years, urged school heads not to underestimate the value of such gatherings.
Head teachers flock to the Jomo Kenyatta Public Beach on Wednesday, November 12. They are in Mombasa for the 2026 Kenya Comprehensive School Heads Association (KECSHA) annual conference.
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation
“I want to challenge all other principals and head teachers who, for one reason or another, imagine they cannot attend. Wacha kujifanya wewe ni maskini all the time. We attend because it is very important,” he added.
At the beach, the message appeared to have found its audience.
Teachers poured into the public beach in colourful dresses, swimming costumes, shorts and vests. Some headed straight into the water, while others preferred to stroll along the white sandy beach, enjoy the breeze or sit back and watch their colleague’s swim.
The scorching afternoon sun did little to dampen their enthusiasm. The usually quiet beach during the low tourism season was transformed into a hive of activity as the visiting educators took over the shoreline.
For some, the experience went beyond swimming. Traders made brisk business hiring out plastic chairs, with visitors paying about Sh300 to sit and enjoy the beach. Others opted for boat rides, while camel operators took advantage of the large crowd to offer rides along the shore.
With security officers patrolling the public beach, the teachers appeared at ease, enjoying a break from the demands of managing schools, dealing with learners and parents, and navigating the challenges of the education system.
Head teachers flock to the Jomo Kenyatta Public Beach on Wednesday, November 12. They are in Mombasa for the 2026 Kenya Comprehensive School Heads Association (KECSHA) annual conference.
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation
“They are so carefree. This is good; they need a break from the academic pressure,” said Anthony Mwalekwa.
He observed that many were still wearing their conference badges, which helped identify them and served as a security measure. Some sat on plastic chairs watching the waves, while others ventured into the ocean.
For Albert Maina from Kirima Comprehensive School, the visit was an opportunity to experience something that is not part of everyday life for many people living away from the Coast.
“From Kisii, we are more than 500 head teachers who have all come to the beach to enjoy ourselves. We are swimming and refreshing. The beach is cool, and we are really enjoying ourselves. We are exploring the Indian Ocean, which is rare for people from upcountry,” he said.
Mr Maina said he was particularly impressed by the experience of swimming in the salty ocean water and planned to carry some of it home for his family.
He described the decision to hold the conference in Mombasa as one of the best decisions made by KECSHA, citing the city's unique attractions.
“The Coast is unique, unless KECSHA is taken to Zanzibar. But do not forget that we have not just come to enjoy ourselves; we are also here for learning purposes at the conference,” he said.
Head teachers flock to the Jomo Kenyatta Public Beach on Wednesday, November 12. They are in Mombasa for the 2026 Kenya Comprehensive School Heads Association (KECSHA) annual conference.
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation
Another teacher, Mr Julius Obino, was spotted filling a two-litre bottle with seawater to take home. He said he believed the water had medicinal benefits and wanted his family to share in the experience.
“We believe this water is medicinal, which is why I am fetching some to take home. Maji ya chumvi ni dawa,” he said.
For him, the beach visit was also a chance to unwind after a demanding academic calendar.
Not everyone was eager to spend time in the water. A teacher from Kyapsura Comprehensive Primary School said the afternoon heat was too intense, although the ocean water felt refreshing against the body.
Along the beach, camel riders were also cashing in on the unexpected crowd.
Hussein Wario, a camel rider, said the teachers had provided him with a busy afternoon, with some paying Sh600 for a ride.
Beyond the beach, some administrators had used their free afternoons to explore other parts of the city.
Stephen Okumu from Itembu Deb Primary School said the conference schedule had given him an opportunity to visit historical and cultural attractions in Mombasa.
He had toured Fort Jesus, crossed the Likoni Channel using the ferry and sampled Swahili dishes.
“This is the fifth time I have come to Mombasa as a head teacher. It is exciting, and the experience has been good. The change of environment is good. At home it is cold, so this hot sun is relaxing. We have eaten pilau and samaki wa kupaka,” he said.
For George Oreso, the appeal of the Coast was as much about its food and culture as it was about the ocean.
He said he had enjoyed amaranth (mchicha), noting that the coastal preparation was different from what he was accustomed to upcountry. He also praised the flavour of coastal pilau.
“It is so relaxing to be at the beach. I have enjoyed taking mchicha. It is different from the one in upcountry. Coastal pilau is also authentic. This is a fine place to be,” he said.
The break, he added, had come at an opportune moment, following the demanding national assessments for Grade Six and Grade Nine learners.
“We know we have just finished the assessments for both Grade Six and Grade Nine. It is a tough duty, so coming here is relaxing. We forget about schoolwork and focus on ourselves. We are rejuvenating so that when schools reopen in 2017, we will go back refreshed. A refreshed and energetic teacher,” he said.
For Ms Onzera, who watched the ocean from the safety of her dress, the experience was enough to make her want another visit.
She may not have taken a swim this time, but she left with a promise to return this time better prepared to trade the classroom routine for the pleasures of the beach.
