St Mary’s School Nairobi: Where political bigwigs were nurtured

At one time during an alumni function, President Kenyatta, donning a blazer complete with the school logo and tie, joked of how the school dean who doubled up as the discipline master would always give him three strokes of the cane whenever he breached school rules [Courtesy]

Also known as Saints, St Mary’s School is a prestigious private primary and secondary academy in Nairobi.  The school, which is sponsored by the Roman Catholic Church was founded in 1939. Other than the Kenyan primary and secondary educational curriculum, this school also offers International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) certification and International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. Despite being a boys learning institution, female students are only allowed to enrol for the IB Diploma Programme.

The school, which initially started with temporary structures, sits on 85 acres that belongs to St Austin’s Mission in Muthangari. The current school structures, including the twin towers which stand at the school’s quadrangle, were completed in 1954. The current staffroom, which is located between the twin towers, used to be the school’s library.