School that churns out top business executives

What is unique about Ichagaki Boys Secondary School, formerly known as Ichagaki Commercial School?

It has acquired the reputation of churning out business magnates who have excelled as top business executives running major companies and financial institutions in the country.

The school's alumni list includes big shots like Chief Executives' Dr Benson Wairegi (Britam), Dr James Mwangi (Equity Bank) and Dr Jonathan Ciano (Uchumi supermarkets).

Others are Murang'a Deputy Governor Gakure Monyo, Meru High Court Judge Peter Muchoki Njoroge, Pioneer Black lawyer Karuga Wandai.

Former Coffee Board of Kenya Chairman Abraham Mwangi and former Unga Group Managing Director Ndung'u Kinuthia are among others who went to the school.

The Standard learnt that at the school's inception, commercial education (business studies) was made compulsory by Catholic priest running the school.

At the inception of the school, it was compulsory for all to undertake commercial education (business studies) which was introduced by founders who were Catholic priests at Ichagaki parish.

The school's oldest employee, Joseph Ndung'u, said Italian Catholic Priest Father U.V. Deleidi made it mandatory for all students to enroll for commercial studies from 1963 to 1985.

"Father Deleidi had an interest in accountancy and made it compulsory for students to be registered for business studies.

Many students excelled in the subject," said Ndung'u who works at the school's stores department.