Saints Are Forever: Memories of St Patrick’s Iten and the Trek to Lake Kapnorok

By Hillary Kosgey Arap Masut, from An Anthology of Memoirs

First shared in The Wonders of Sergoit Hills Facebook group on 28 December 2025.

A group of old boys from the great St Patrick’s Iten, founded 64 years ago, decided to come together for a reunion. In doing so, they chose to revive a tradition that had first been introduced in October 1978 by a special man, Brother Colm O’Connell. At the time, he was a young teacher with barely 3 years at St Patrick’s Iten. He introduced what came to be known as the Great Trek.

The trek symbolised the end of the school year. The end of the year also meant final examinations for the school leavers, and for that reason the Great Trek was traditionally undertaken by finalists. In 2025, a group of former schoolmates and classmates from St Patrick’s High School Iten resolved to retrace this historic journey.

The trek led to Lake Kapnorok, located within the Rift Valley and roughly 15 kilometres downhill from Iten when imagined as a straight walking line. The lake lies on the valley floor east of Iten town. It is an oxbow lake formed from the Kerio River and fed by several tributaries.

In the old days, the journey would begin at about 5 am. This time, however, the programme was adjusted, acknowledging that we were no longer the young and energetic lads we once were. The purpose of the gathering was not merely a reunion, but a meaningful way of recognising where we came from and reflecting on how far our school had come.

The highlight of the occasion fell on Saturday, 27 December 2025. The morning began with a warm welcome at the school gate by the security team, who were clearly aware that old boys were expected. Old and young alike streamed into the school compound. There were embraces, handshakes, and disbelief filled greetings as faces from decades past met again, accompanied by repeated questions of whether it was truly one another standing there.

Once assembled, we embarked on a walk through the school. We inspected our former dormitories, with voices rising in excitement as people pointed out rooms and even specific beds they once occupied. We passed through the kitchen area, briefly reliving memories of school meals, and visited the water points. Someone pointed out what were remembered as some of the coldest shower rooms of the 1980s.

We continued on to take photographs beside the school’s first bus, the Bedford named Concord. Nearby stood one of the most iconic structures in the school, the former Brothers’ House. By 1961, it was the tallest building in Elgeyo Marakwet District. Now 66 years old, it once housed the founding Patrician Brothers from Ireland, an order celebrating 150 years of service this year. We visited the museum, though it was closed, and later took photographs at the basketball court that produced provincial champions for 20 consecutive years. The school also participated in the national championships for 20 years, winning the title 5 times and finishing runners up on 3 occasions.

As the school tour drew to a close, a very special guest arrived. Mr J E B Williams joined us, immediately drawing everyone’s attention. He shared vivid memories of Lake Kapnorok from 1973 and recalled a near fatal encounter with an African buffalo that almost tore open his abdomen. His arrival altered the programme entirely as everyone gathered around him for conversation. At 79 years of age, he was as engaging as ever. One remark in particular sent everyone into laughter when he was reminded that his nickname during his teaching days had been JESUS. He laughed heartily, acknowledging that he had always known some characters had called him that and that he could still see some of them standing before him.

After the laughter and stories, we proceeded to the principal’s office for an official reception. Together with the board chairman and members of the board, we were warmly welcomed and signed the visitors’ book. This was followed by candid discussions on the school’s progress and future direction. Two media houses conducted interviews before we boarded our beloved old German gifted Vantool Mercedes bus, registration KWP 398.

The journey turned into a rolling photo session, with stops at the viewpoint, at the gate of Kessup Girls, and two other locations that held meaning known only to us. Eventually, we were dropped about 7 kilometres from the lake, where we completed the final stretch of the trek on foot.

At Lake Kapnorok, the mood shifted. What remained of the lake showed heavy silting and a near absence of water, the result of years of poor environmental conservation. This reality underscored one of the core reasons for undertaking the trek. After a brief meeting by the lakeside, we departed for a warm reception at Sego Resort Club. Before dinner was served, a speech from Brother Colm O’Connell was read to us in his absence. Titled Proud to be a Saint, the speech spoke about who we were, where we came from, and why St Patrick’s would always remain beautiful in spirit and in memory. It was a moving reflection that resonated deeply with everyone present. We are grateful to Cole Kiprono Bulluts for hosting us as dinner, conversation, and renewed connections continued into the evening.

The night unfolded beautifully. Arsenal won 2 goals to 1 against Brighton as we watched, and stories from school life 40 years ago flowed freely. One tale that drew particular laughter recalled a soccer match in 1983 when St Patrick’s lost 17 goals to 2 against a school from West Pokot. Glasses clinked, tables darkened with silhouettes against the evening light, and the hours slipped by unnoticed.

It was, without doubt, a deeply nostalgic day.

First shared in The Wonders of Sergoit Hills Facebook group on 28 December 2025.