Kangaru School is a boys-only boarding secondary school located in Embu County, Kenya. The origins of the learning institution trace back to the early 1920s when it began as a small Church Missionary Society (CMS) primary school in present-day Embu Municipality.
The school was later relocated to the Kangaru zone, operating in various temporary sites, including present-day K.A.R.I and the Embu Agricultural Institute, before settling at the current D.E.B. Kangaru Primary School location.
On December 30, 1946, the Embu Local Native Council (L.N.C.), under the chairmanship of District Commissioner Robin Wainright, resolved to establish a school through a self-help (Harambee) initiative.
Kangaru High School history
Construction began on January 1, 1947, on a 3-acre site donated by local Embu landowners. The school was built using temporary materials with the help of community members, prisoners, and building technicians. The construction was completed on January 13, 1947.
The school officially opened with 30 boys under its first and only teacher at the time, Jeremiah J.M. Nyaga. Within a week, 5 additional students were admitted as day scholars, bringing the total to 35 students. These students came from the only two CMS primary schools in the region — Kigari and Mutira.
In 1948, the government awarded a contract to build the school using permanent materials, including bricks made in Riamaciri, near Gatoori. Construction was supervised by an ex-World War II Italian prisoner.
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The school admitted its first group of 8 girls in 1949 as day scholars. Later in 1989, Kangaru was split into separate institutions for boys and girls. It has produced notable alumni, including former Attorney General and Speaker of the National Assembly, Justin Muturi.
Performance
The ‘A’ level stream at Kangaru was phased out in the same year following the nationwide shift to Kenya’s 8-4-4 education system. Since then, student admissions have been determined by performance in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams. This was, however, replaced by the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), introduced under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) framework in 2023.
The school has consistently expanded in both size and academic performance, with a current student population of approximately 1,400 and a teaching staff of about 60.
In the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, Kangaru School made a strong academic comeback, posting impressive results.
Led by Chief Principal Paul Muriuki, the school recorded a mean score of 7.1, marking a notable improvement from the 6.5478 attained in 2023. The 2024 results featured two students scoring an A plain, eight earning A-, and 21 securing B+. A significant number of candidates also achieved strong grades in the B, B-, and C+ categories.
Beyond academics, Kangaru School has consistently excelled in co-curricular activities, including in the Kenya National Drama and Film Festivals.
School fees
The government has set a national guideline on the maximum amount parents are required to pay annually for school fees.
At Kangaru School, the annual fee per student is around Ksh40,535 — the standard fee ceiling established by the Ministry of Education for extra county schools in Kenya.
Nonetheless, the final amount may vary slightly between schools, depending on additional charges for items such as uniforms, student motivation programs, and co-curricular activities.
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Location and contacts
The school is located in Ruguru-Ngandori, off the Embu-Meru Highway.
In case you have any complaints, queries, or comments, you can reach the institution’s administration through the contacts below.
Mobile phone/ telephone number: +254 683 1511/ +254 722 662062
Postal address: P.O. Box 17, 60100 Embu
Email address: [email protected]
Kangaru School KNEC code: 14303101
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