- Kianyaga Boys High School in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County was established in 1960s
- Outgoing Kirinyaga Senator Daniel Karaba was transferred to Kalahari as principal in 1993
- Junior students were also condemned to weevil-infested githeri and shorts
Kianyaga Boys High School in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County was established in 1960s through fundraisers by local elders.
Many mocked the idea but the elders soldiered on to build the first high school to offer A-level education in Kirinyaga which today, is a force to reckon with.
It was nicknamed ‘Kalahari’ after the southern Africa desert, for its harsh living conditions until 1980s, when mud-walled dormitories were phased out.
Junior students were also condemned to weevil-infested githeri and short trousers, while the seniors in A-levels thrived on rice, meat, tea and exclusive trips.
But the teachings by Norah Sinclair from George Orwell’s book, Animal Farm, triggered O-level students to protest.
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They were fined Sh16 each for damages, but equality was restored with rice meat and tea becoming regular fare.
Outgoing Kirinyaga Senator Daniel Karaba was transferred to Kalahari as principal in 1993 only to find rebellious but bright boys. They planned to strike and nobody could tame them, but Karaba hatched a plan.
He organised a debate with Kabare Girls High School and had maize boiled for the contestants.
The girls arrived and mesmerised the boys who went ‘mad’ and forgot the strike for Karaba’s three-year tenure.
Notable alumni who wore light blue shirts, gray trousers and blue blazers include Dr Nelson Githinji, former NYS director general, Prof Jefitha Karimurio, chair of the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Nairobi (UoN), the late NSSF boss and economic analyst Murimi Murage and Dr Christopher Gakuu, chair of Department of Nairobi School of Continuing and Distance Education at UoN, Jeffithah Karua, director at Kenya Tea Development Agency, retired Mwingi county public works, roads engineer Edward Kariuki and Wachira Muyah group projects engineer at East Africa Breweries Limited.
Others guided by the motto ‘Enter to Excel, Exit to Prosper’ are Edward Gichara Regulatory Affairs at Bayer Crop Science, Anthony Karimi marketing director at GlaxoSmithKline, Peter Njagi, Kiswahili Instructor at University of New Mexico, John Wanjohi, Chief Accountant at Nation Media Group, Patrick Kimani head of Credit Administration at Equity Bank Uganda Ltd and Standard journalist Munene Kamau.
