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Day Moi awarded Miguna Sh50 for a drawing while at Njiiri School

Old school

After he finished his O-levels at Onjiko Secondary School in 1982, Joshua Miguna Miguna proceeded to Njiiri School in Murang'a County. He was admitted to do History, Literature and Christian Religious Education.

At the time, Njiiri School ranked third or fourth best school in Kenya. It was awarded the trophy for the best discipline in 1982. It retained the honour until the late 1980s.

Five months after he joined, the school was set to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Three weeks before the event slated for June 11, 1983 and set to be graced by then President Daniel Moi, students were asked to draw a portrait of late Senior Chief Njiiri wa Karanja who the school is named after.

Miguna in his book Peeling Back the Mask says he entered the contest even though he was a rookie artist.

"Whoever drew the closest likeness to the ex-senior chief would receive a certificate and cash prize," he wrote. On the fete day, then Higher Education Minister Joseph Kamotho announced Miguna as the winner and Moi handed him a Sh50 prize.

He recalls; "I was shocked and thought that the minister had made a mistake. Few people thought I would win. I had never drawn before."

Moi then handed Sh10, 000 to then principal Stephen Ndung'u to buy a bull for students and teachers to feast on.

He was elected chairman of the Senior Debating Club as well as the treasurer of the Senior Historical Club. By the time he was finishing, he was the first deputy school captain.

The school that exposed him to the world was established in 1958. The 65-acre land it sits on was donated by colonial paramount, polygamous chief Njiiri who ruled from 1901 to 1952.

Notable alumni include former MPs Jamleck Kamau and Kabando wa Kabando, JK Njoroge (Education PS 1964-1969), among others.

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