This archive report was first published on 12 November 2019.
Kitale School, a 90-year-old institution in western Kenya, has withstood the test of time to maintain high education standards in the region. Established in 1925, the school was initially a whites-only institution sponsored by the Christian Missionary Society (CMS), now the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK).
Located about two kilometres from Kitale town, the school sits on 70 acres and is among five pre-colonial learning institutions in the country. Others include Nairobi School, Molo School, the Hill School in Eldoret, and Nyeri Primary School.
However, the school's growth was affected by the agricultural depression of the 1930s and the locust invasion that caused extensive crop damage. It was not until the end of World War II that the deployment of British army soldiers boosted the fortunes of Kitale town, positively impacting on the school's growth.
Some of the renowned individuals who attended the school include the late founder of Starehe Boys Centre, Geoffrey William Griffin, who attended from 1938 to 1945. Businessman Mogul Paresh Tanna was the first Asian child to enrol in 1962, after the institution opened its doors to non-whites following Kenya's independence in 1963.
"Initially, only whites were allowed in the school. The first black children to join the school were the likes of Richard Etemesi," Mr Tanna told the Nation.
Today, the institution has a population of 1,700 students and is a household name at both academic and sporting scenes. Despite its prestige, the school faces infrastructural challenges since the government stopped full sponsorship in 1993.
The Alumni Association has kept the culture of giving back to the institution by organising events geared towards supporting the school. On December 13 this year, the old students body will hold a reunion party at the school to raise funds for refurbishment of some facilities.
"There is need to improve some infrastructure as well as equip dormitories, the computer laboratory and library," said Mr Peter Kebati, the chairman.
As the late Griffin once said: "Whatever is your duty, do it as fully and perfectly as you possibly can. And when you have finished your duty, go on to spare some time and talent in service for less fortunate people, not for any reward at all, but because it is the right thing to do."
