Kapsabet Boys: School That Has Produced Two Kenyan Presidents
At the elite Kapsabet Boys High School in Nandi County, big signage reading “you give us boys, we give you men” welcomes visitors to the school’s quiet and well-kept grounds.
The institution was established as the Government African School in 1925. (GAS).
It is one of the nation’s oldest high schools.
It was designed to serve African children at a time when British colonial authorities still segregated schools. It has experienced numerous changes in the past century.
The institution is renowned for producing prominent members of society who hold prestigious positions in the public and corporate sectors, both locally and internationally.
On Tuesday, as Dr. William Ruto was sworn in as the 5th president of Kenya, the institution entered the chronicles of history for producing two heads of state.
The second president of Kenya, Daniel Moi, and now Dr. Ruto.
Kipchumba Maiyo, Chief Principal of Kapsabet Boys, describes it as a humbling experience.
The pupils’ perspectives have been profoundly influenced throughout the years by the mentorship they have received, primarily from former classmates.
Dr. Ruto attended Wareng High School for his A-levels before enrolling at Kapsabet Boys on March 18, 1985. He had a stellar academic record.
Mr. Maiyo explained, "He joined Form 5G with the admission number 5,065 and was booked at Dorm 5, referred to as Cheruiyot, cube number five.
Did fate conspire?
All of Dr. Ruto’s records contained the number five; thus, according to the principle, it was fate that the number five was his lucky number.
Kapsabet Boys Tops As All 461 Candidates Earn University Entry Grade
His victory was confirmed on September 5, and he became the fifth President.
Although Mr. Maiyo entered Kapsabet Boys many years after Dr. Ruto graduated, he stated that the President was already a devout Christian. He promptly assumed leadership positions, as evidenced by school records.
He was chosen to lead the Cheruiyot dormitory and the science and volleyball groups.
"It is here that his agility as a leader came into play because he supervised students with a great sense of responsibility and motivation.
Mr. Maiyo stated that the dormitory where Dr. Ruto resided was the most coveted by students because they viewed it as a positive omen.
President Moi was lodged in Kipnyigei dorm, adjacent to Cheruiyot, which is currently prominent.
According to Mr. Maiyo, Dr. Ruto has visited the school several times as part of the institution’s history of alumni mentoring current pupils.
Kapsabet Boys is one of the oldest high schools in Kenya, established in 1925 as a Government African School to educate African pupils while the British colonial government still segregated schools.
The school has experienced various adjustments over the years to become one of the most sought-after due to its continual excellence in national examinations and strong moral standards.
It has 2,100 students and a large number of alumni.
Local leaders that attended Kapsabet Boys include the late Nicholas Biwott, the former influential Cabinet minister and Keiyo MP, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, former Agriculture minister Kipruto Kirwa, and former Education minister Henry Kosgey. Julius Yego, the 2016 Olympic silver medalist in the javelin, also studied there.
ALSO READ:
On the day of Dr. Ruto’s inauguration, the school permitted pupils to watch the proceedings on live television and later provided them with a celebratory meal.
Kapsabet Boys: School That Has Produced Two Kenyan Presidents
