Chewoyet High School is a public national boarding secondary school for boys located in West Pokot County and stands as one of the two premier government boys’ high schools in Kenya’s North Rift Region, alongside Kapsabet High School in Nandi County.
Originally established in the 1940s as an agricultural college under the name Rift Valley Junior School, the institution later evolved into a full-fledged secondary school.
While it functions as a typical high school, Chewoyet is especially notable for its role during a landmark moment in Kenya’s colonial history — the trial of the Kapenguria Six.
Chewoyet High School history
During the trial in 1952–1953, the regular courtroom in Kapenguria town proved too small to accommodate the six accused leaders, their legal teams, guards, and members of the press.
As a result, a classroom at the then agricultural college was converted into a makeshift courtroom. Today, the specific classroom that hosted the historic trial remains largely unchanged.
The only visible marker is a metallic plaque mounted above the door of the ageing classroom on the left side of the school’s main entrance. The plaque commemorates the conviction of Jomo Kenyatta and his five co-accused — Bildad Kaggia, Kung’u Karumba, Fred Kubai, Paul Ngei, and Achieng’ Oneko — on April 8, 1953, during what is widely considered a politically motivated, colonial-era trial.
Visitors traveling to Kapenguria are encouraged to tour Chewoyet High School along with the nearby Kapenguria cells museum to gain a deeper understanding of this pivotal chapter in Kenya’s independence struggle.
The school has continued to grow in terms of physical facilities, number of students, non-teaching staff, and teachers. Currently, the school accommodates over 1,400 boys.
Performance
Chewoyet High School’s academic performance in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) has steadily risen, with a number of students qualifying to join various universities every year.
Also Read: Kapsabet High School Fees, KCSE Performance and Key Contacts
In the 2023 KCSE, one student achieved an A grade, while 24 students received an A minus. Additionally, 56 students got a B plus, 90 students attained a B grade, and 75 students received a B minus. Furthermore, 50 students achieved a C plus, 12 students received a C grade, and one student was awarded a C minus.
Among the top students at Chewoyet High School was Victor Kigen, who scored an A and emerged as the best student in West Pokot County.
School fees
As per the Ministry of Education guidelines issued in 2020, national schools in Kenya were categorized into four clusters.
Chewoyet High School is classified under Cluster Two (II) schools in Kenya’s national school categorization. As per Ministry of Education guidelines, the official annual fee ceiling is approximately Ksh75,798 per student.
However, it’s important to note that actual payable fees may be slightly higher or lower depending on additional school-specific levies. These may include costs related to school uniforms, co-curricular activities, motivational programs, and institutional development projects.
Any variations in fees must be approved by the school’s Board of Management (BoM) and remain subject to Ministry of Education regulations.
Also Read: Moi High School Kabarak Fees, KCSE Performance and Contacts
Location and contacts
Chewoyet High School is situated approximately 4.6 kilometers from the Lutheran Church Bendera, just off the A1 Road, near Makutano–Kapenguria Junction in West Pokot County. The school is located about two kilometers from the Kapenguria cells, where the Kapenguria Six were held.
In case you have any complaints, queries, or comments, you can reach the institution’s administration through the contacts below.
Mobile phone/ telephone number:
Postal address: P.O. Box PRIVATE BAG 30600-KAPENGURIA
Email address: [email protected]
Chewoyet High School KNEC code: 24500004
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