Kisii High School is a public national boys’ school established in 1934 as a Government African School (GAS), and the local native council of South Kavirondo helped to raise the funds.
The school started artisan courses in 1934 at the Primary School level (equivalent to Standards 4-6), but when it was unable to enroll pupils, it admitted them at the substandard level (equivalent to Standards 2 and 3).
In 1938, the school presented its first candidates for Primary School Examinations. By then, it had 60 pupils in 2 streams of 30 each. The students had to be 50% Kisii and 50% Luo (Kisii: 30 pupils; Luo: 30 pupils).
The Secondary School section was started in 1945. At that time, this was called Junior Secondary, equivalent to Standards 7 and 8. The population was still 60 per class.
Over the years, Kisii High School has educated numerous influential figures in politics, law, and business.
Key alumni include former Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i, former Governor Cornel Rasanga, Wyclife Oparanya, and former minister Christopher Obure.
Prominent Kenyans Who Attended Kisii High School
The following are notable Kenyans who studied at Kisii High School.
Fred Matiang’i
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Matiangi holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Kenyatta University and a master’s degree in English from the University of Nairobi.
He also holds a PhD in Communication and Comparative Literature from the University of Nairobi.
Before his appointment as a Cabinet Minister in 2013 by President Uhuru Kenyatta, Matiang’i served as the Eastern Africa Regional Representative for the Centre for International Development at the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the State University of New York.
Also Read: Prominent Kenyans Who Studied at Maranda High School
On April 23, 2013, Matiang’i was appointed as the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication, and Technology.
Matiang’i was appointed to the Ministry of Education by President Kenyatta.
As Education Cabinet Secretary, he implemented measures to combat cheating and other malpractices in national examinations, including enhanced security protocols and the timely release of exam results.
Matiang’i was also responsible for the development and implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which emphasises equipping students with practical skills and knowledge relevant to the job market.
From 2018 to 2022, he served as Cabinet Secretary for the Interior and Coordination of the National Government.
Wyclife Oparanya
Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya attended Mabole Primary School before proceeding to Butere Boys High School for his O-levels.
In 1975, Oparanya joined Kisii High School for his A-levels.
Oparanya holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting option) and an MBA (Finance) from the University of Nairobi.
He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with over 23 years of experience in accounting and finance, having worked for various companies, including Earnest & Young, where he served as a Senior Audit Manager from 1980 to 1995.
In 1995, he joined Kenya Aerotech Co. Limited, where he served as the Secretary to the Board and later Group Finance Controller.
In 2002, he was elected as the MP for the Butere Constituency, dethroning Amukowa Anangwe, and served for 10 years.
Oparanya was appointed on 14 January 2019 as the chairperson of the Council of Governors (COG) of Kenya.
He is a former governor of Kakamega County.
Wycliffe Oparanya is the current Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Cooperatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development in Kenya, having assumed office in August 2024.
Cornel Rasanga
Former Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga attended Kisii High School for his A-Level education in 1977.
Cornel Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Nairobi in 1981.
He also holds a Diploma in Supplies Management from the Kenya Institute of Administration (KIA).
Rasanga joined the public service in the Ministry of Agriculture as a supplies officer responsible for the National Agricultural Laboratories.
He later served as a Supply Officer in various districts before being promoted to Senior Procurement Officer, responsible for Procurement and materials management.
In 2005, he was admitted as an advocate of the High Court. He is an expert advisor on public procurement.
Also Read: Matiang’i Breaks Silence on Why Uhuru Deported Miguna
He has served as Secretary to the District Tender Boards in various Districts, including Busia, Bungoma, West Pokot, and Embu.
He is the former governor of Siaya County.
Christopher Obure
Chris Obure began his early education at Kereri Primary School in Bobasi, Kisii County.
He attended Kamagambo SDA Secondary School before transferring to Kisii High School, where he completed his A-levels under the London GCE system in just one year, rather than the usual two.
In 1965, Obure joined the University of Nairobi and earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
Alongside his undergraduate studies, he completed a professional course with the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators (CISCA) in the UK.
In 1968, he served as the Assistant Company Secretary at East African Bata Shoe Company, rising to the position of Company Secretary by 1970.
He later served in senior roles at Kenya Breweries Limited, including Company Secretary from 1974 to 1976 and Group Company Secretary from 1977 to 1983.
Between 1974 and 1978, he also served as Company Secretary of the Kenya Football League.
In 1993, Christopher Obure was elected Member of Parliament for Bobasi and served multiple terms.
Chris Obure held various ministerial positions, including Minister for Industrialisation from 1999 to 2001.
From 2008 to 2013, he also represented Bobasi Constituency as a member of Parliament.
Additionally, in 2013, Obure served as the Senator for Kisii County.
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