The education system in Kenya is considered one of the best in Africa. This has seen Kenyans thrive in various fields both locally and in the diaspora. The billionaires in the country-who also rank among the richest in Africa-are products of local schools.
WoK lists ten secondary schools that have churned out Kenyan billionaires starting with:
Friends School Kamusinga
Friends School Kamusinga has for years been synonymous with academic and extra-curricular excellence. The school has produced a number of notable alumni including politicians, footballers and businessmen.
The late Chris Kirubi attended Friends School Kamusinga. In 2011, he was ranked the second richest person in Kenya and 31st richest in Africa by Forbes with a net worth of $300 million (over Sh30 billion). He had interests in real estate, media and finance and at the time of his death was still one of Kenya’s richest billionaires with an estimated net worth of Sh 20 billion.
Politician Moses Wetangula is also an alumni of the school. According to online news outlet Kenyans, his net worth is estimated at Sh2.4 billion.
Mang’u High School
Established in 1925, the school is known for producing some of the best brains in the country. Former president Mwai Kibaki is one of the school’s notable alumni. Wikipedia estimates Mwai Kibaki’s worth to be around US$50 million.
Other notable alumni of the school include: the late John Michuki, the late George Saitoti, CBK governor Patrick Njoroge, Moody Awori and Dr. Evans Kidero.
Dr. Evans Kidero who is worth Sh9 billion according to the Ethics Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). Billionaires Joseph Wanjui and Bundotich Buzeki are also alumni of Mangu High.
Maranda High School
Located in Siaya county, Maranda High is considered one of the best national schools in the country. Kenya’s first vice president the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and his son Raila Odinga attended the school.
Raila Odinga is one of the most influential politicians in the country. Having joined politics in 1992, he has unsuccessfully vied for the presidency more than three times but has always come in very close to the winning team. He is vying for the fifth time in 2022. His net worth has been estimated at more than $500 million but the former Prime Minister told a local TV station that his wealth was Sh2 billion. He is a landowner with several business ventures including oil and gas.
St. Mary’s School
This is an institution of the Kenyan elite. President Uhuru Kenyatta was a product of St. Mary was an avid rugby player. He is one of the top five richest people in Kenya with Oxfam International estimating his wealth at Ksh 60 billion.
Gideon Moi, Muhoho Kenyatta and Jimmy Wanjigi are other billionaires who passed through the gates of this institution.
Also Read: The Multi-Billion Businesses The Top Five Richest Men In Kenya Control
Alliance High School
Alliance High is the best secondary school in Kenya in terms of performance in national exams. It has many notable alumni who never shy from telling the world they passed through that institution.
Billionaires who attended this high school include the late Kenneth Matiba, the late Charles Njonjo, Busia county senator Amos Wako and James Mworia- the current MD and CEO of Centum Investments.
Starehe Boys Center
Founded in 1959, Starehe Boys is a charitable institution that provides care and education for boys in need. The rigorous admission process ensures only the most deserving students are admitted.
Peter Kenneth, the former speaker, politician and 2013 presidential aspirants attended the school for both his O and A levels. He is the founder of Mayfair bank which he sold to Commercial International Bank (Egypt). CS without portfolio Raphael Tuju is another billionaire who also attended the school.
Gaichanjiru High School
This is a Boys only extra-county boarding school located in Gaichanjiru town, Murang’a county.
The founder of Equity Building Society Peter Kahara Mungai attended the school. He was the chairman of Equity Bank for more than 3 decades and Forbes reported he was to receive $500,000 from the bank as a ‘Thank You’ token when he retired.
His 0.4% stake in equity was reported to be worth about $5 million and he is also a shareholder at Britam Insurance.
Also Read: Great Brains In Kenya That Passed Through Kagumo High School
Kapsabet High School
The institution was founded in 1925 as the Government African Society (GAS) to cater for African students when there was still segregation between the whites and Africans.
The school shaped the likes of deputy president William Ruto, and the late Nicholas Biwott who was considered one of Kenya’s richest men. Kenya’s founding president Daniel Arap Moi was also once a student of the school.
Javelin silver medalist Julius Yego is also an alumni of the school but he is not a billionaire.
Also Read: Kenyan Billionaires Who Never Studied Past Primary School
Wareng Secondary School
Located in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu county, the mixed day school is one of the best in the region. Hon. William Ruto attended the school for his O levels before he proceeded to Kapsabet Boys for his A levels.
William Ruto is the current deputy president and one of the 2022 presidential aspirants. Forbes estimates his net worth at Ksh8 billion. Other sources also estimate his net worth at about $450 million.
Kisii High School
The school was founded in 1934 as a government institution to train Kenyans to take over white collar jobs.
The late Simeon Nyachae-a wealthy businessman and former cabinet secretary-was a student at Kisii High School. He was believed to be worth billions at the time of his death.
Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Kisii governor James Ongwae also attended the school.
Also Read: Learning Institutions Attended By The Highest Paid CEOs In Kenya
