The Catholic archdiocese of Kakamega established Muks Bee or St Ignatius Mukumu Boys High School in 1958. It was originally intended to accommodate locals who failed to get admission to Royal Kakamega High School.
Several decades down the line, the school has grown to breed footballers, politicians and Kenyans of notable repute.
Football talent
The school distinguished itself as a football talent breeding ground for AFC Leopard, when Ingwe was still Ingwe. Indeed, former principal Dennis Munyendo who doubled as football coach for AFC and Harambee stars knew just where to get the best talent.
Some of the notable alumni who recited the school motto: Palma Sule Pondere Crecite before it changed to Excelentiae Committi (committed to excellence), include Justus Kizito Mugali, MP for Shinyalu who often dropped out of school to burn charcoal in Kakamega Forest to raise school fees.
He would later join St Peter’s High School Mumias for his A-level.
Notable alumni
Others are athlete Emiliano Korir, footballers, Joseph Murila, Jonathan Niva, Anthony Mukabwa Cornelius Juma, Vincent Misikhu and Robert Midenyo, Boniface Muhekhe, Derick Mwisheni, Hussein Owiti, Dennis Munyendo, Laban Shimonjero, Dennis Shiveka and Bicky Oyuka who turned for National under 17.
Loaf bus
Those who rode in YG, that is ‘KYG’ ‘loaf’ school bus before they acquired Trimi ya Walenisi bus while clad in navy-blue trousers and sweaters with white shirts and red ties include athlete Mark Kiptoo, chief internal auditor at National Treasury Brian Ray Odhiambo and The Standard correspondent Bari Indimuli.
Others who spent the night in Shimenga, Kenya, Nanzoi, Sechelo, Workshop and Bulinda dormitories were Michael Amukanga, procurement officer at Masinde Muliro University of Sience and Technoloy; the late David Akoi, a former AFC and Harambee Stars player; Tom Msalagani Anyonge who used to repair shoes for his kin for a toast of bread and now is a senior police officer at Vigillance House; and Julius Mwale of Mwale City in Butere, which hosted Obama and Clinton in 2017.
The sacred tree
It was here that students placed their bags under the famous palm tree, a shrine of sorts, to keep away bad omen as students travelled back home. It was also under the tree that students gathered for meetings and any resolution stood unopposed.
Mukumu Girls was the sister school, although Muks Bee had to scale down for a Plan B in Lirhembe Girls, who were accommodative.
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