Kakamega School is a top-performing national boys’ secondary school in Kenya located in Kakamega County. Originally known as the Government African School Kakamega, the school was established in 1932 by the Local Native Council of North Kavirondo District—a body representing what is today Kakamega, Bungoma, and Busia counties.
The founding vision was to create a high-quality educational institution for African students in western Kenya, at a time when such opportunities were rare.
The idea for the school was first proposed on May 20, 1925, during the council’s inaugural meeting, which was addressed by the Acting Governor of Kenya at the time, Sir Edward Denham.
Over the following years, the council developed a detailed plan to establish a Junior Secondary School with an initial enrollment of 100 boys, to be operated as a joint venture with the colonial government.
In 1927, the council agreed to fund the entire cost of African staff and boarding facilities, and to share the cost of equipment and maintenance with the government. In return, the government would cover the salaries of European teaching staff.
To support the construction, the council allocated 100 acres of land near the River Isiukhu and resolved to raise money through taxation, imposing a levy of two shillings per adult male or per hut, beginning in 1931.
Kakamega School history
By February 9, 1929, the council formally resolved to proceed with the school’s establishment, and in August 1931, it was decided that students would pay a fee of sixty shillings per year, consistent with fees at other notable schools like Maseno, Yala, and Kaimosi.
The school officially opened in 1932 under its founding motto: “In Unity is Strength.” This motto has remained central to its identity over the decades.
The first Principal of the school was Mr. Harold Arthur Waterloo Chapman, a graduate of Oxford University. Appointed in August 1931, Chapman played a pivotal role in shaping the early character and reputation of the institution.
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Despite early logistical challenges—including having to reside with the Inspector of Schools in Maragoli while waiting for staff housing—Chapman led the school through its formative years and served as Principal until 1955, making him the longest-serving headmaster in the school’s history. During his tenure, the name “Chapman” became virtually synonymous with the school itself.
Originally known as Government African School Kakamega, the institution was later renamed Kakamega High School and today is simply known as Kakamega School. As a provincial school, it was later upgraded to national status.
It has since grown into one of Kenya’s most prominent national schools, known for academic excellence, sports, and the arts.
Performance
Over the years, Kakamega School has consistently maintained top performances in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), solidifying its place among the country’s academic giants.
Each year, over 400 students are admitted to the institution based on academic merit and individual choice, in line with Kenya’s education policy.
Until 2023, student admissions to Kakamega School were determined by performance in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination. However, this changed with the introduction of the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), implemented under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) framework.
In the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination, Kakamega School presented over 600 candidates, with more than 78% attaining the minimum university entry grade qualifying for full government sponsorship.
8 students scored a straight A, while 74 scored an A-. Additionally, 80 students attained a B+, 86 scored a B, while 130 managed a B-.
97 students scored a C+, 97 others scored a grade C, 29 scored a C-, 10 scored grade D+ and the lowest grade recorded was a D, obtained by just two students.
Kakamega School maintained its strong academic reputation with a mean score of 8.128, marking an improvement of 0.412 points compared to the 2023 KCSE results.
School Fees
Under fee guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education in 2020, national schools in Kenya were grouped into four clusters. Kakamega School was categorized in Cluster One (I), with an official annual school fee cap set at approximately Ksh75,798.
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While this figure represents the standard government ceiling, actual payable fees may vary slightly across institutions due to additional levies. These can include costs for school uniforms, co-curricular activities, motivation programs, and other school-specific initiatives.
Location and contacts
The school is located in
In case you have any complaints, queries, or comments, you can reach the institution’s administration through the contacts below.
Mobile phone/ telephone number: 0707014500
Postal address: P.O. Box 90-50100 Kakamega
Email address: [email protected]
Kakamega School KNEC code: 37600001
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