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Nguviu Boys High School was established in 1966 in Manyatta Constituency, Embu County, by the Catholic Church as a district school.
The school grew to become an academic giant nationally before its fortunes began dipping.
Memorable teachers include deputy principal nicknamed ‘Madman’. If he suspected you were a smoker, the question came thus; “Did you stop smoking? Yes or no kijana?” Students had difficulty answering the tricky question as a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ was confirmation that indeed you were a smoker. Either way, you were fried, and silence was not an acceptable response. And what followed was “zero gradient” order, which was to lie down for roasting your beef.
Students sometimes found cigarette butts inside partially-cooked ‘murram’ (githeri) but the mean-looking cooks would not give a hoot. Though it neighboured Nguviu Girls, it was Kieni Girls whom they preferred as a sister school, prompting rivalry between the girls.
Those suspected of drinking received punches to the tummy to test whether their breath had a whiff of alcohol.
Then there was Markroy, the unluckiest student as he was always caught irrigating flowerbeds at night and was dealt with thoroughly. Those who dozed during prep time would be warned; “This is not an extended day care!”
Before “C ndo Kusema” bus came, learners rode the not-so-appealing Isuzu truck.
Notable alumni who endured murram in the school include Danson Muchemi,who joined the school with knowledge of breeding rabbits, but is now the CEO of JamboPay, George Kelvin Nyagah, the founding director of Road Safety Volunteers, and Mark Kamau, a nuclear, biological and chemical specialist with USA’s 172nd Infantry Brigade.
Among those guided by 4Ds - Discipline, Determination, Dedication and Diligence - include journalist and Kisii’s Rigoma ward MCA aspirant Nyambega Gisesa, John Mwaniki, the Manyatta parliamentary seat aspirant and Gabriel Nyaga, an internal auditor at Central Bank of Kenya.
Others who wore light-blue shirts, gray pullovers and dark trousers are Isaac Njuguna, auditor at Cooperative Bank, Dishon Nyagah, chief of staff at the Speaker’s office and David Gitari, Governance and Public Communication Strategist at Office of the Deputy President.
