The adage, education is the key to success has never been truer than as espoused by the billionaires behind some of the highly-rated schools across the country.
From the Kenyatta-family to little-known individuals like Mary Okelo, the billionaires have built some of the most iconic and envied prestigious education institutions that are attended by the children of the rich and privileged in the society.
So luxurious are the institutions that in some instances, the school fees can cross the Ksh1 million mark per learning term.
Here are seven billionaires and wealthy families behind some of the most revered schools in Kenya.
1. Daniel and Eddah Gachukia - Riara Group of Schools
Riara Group of Schools is one of the most respected institutions across the country and has over the years earned its founder, Daniel Gachukia and his wife Eddah Gachukia, nationwide recognition and respect.
Gachukia grew up when the country was at the middle of a conflict and when the Mau Mau uprising was at its peak. At this time, education was not considered a priority by many families and individuals.
After enduring the unrest and change of homes, he finally enrolled into a school and after completing his education, he sought transfer the knowledge to another generation by launching the Riara kindergarten in 1974. The school has since expanded to tertiary levels.
Prior to founding the institution, the billionaire taught in various secondary schools including Kagumo High School, Thika High School and Namilyango High School in Uganda.
He also had a stint at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where he worked as the Charge d’ Affairs at the Kenya office in Paris.
His wife, Eddah, on the other hand, joined the teaching force in 1960 and kept upgrading her education, earning a PhD in Literature in 1981. She also served as a Member of Parliament between 1974 and 1983.
2.Terry Childs - Braeburn Schools
Braeburn is an ubiquitous education brand across the country and is set to expand after its acquisition of another academic giant, Hillcrest International Schools.
Unknown to many is how the academic giant came into existence after an intervention by Terry Childs alongside five other partners.
In a brief history he penned, Childs noted that in 1978, the institution had only 78 students and he approached Bill Martin, Peter Moll, Aaron Kandie, Lucas Matu and Ralph Diaper to acquire the institution.
"What we bought was a dilapidated house, a few classrooms and a plot of three and a half acres of land. There was little in the way of books or other resources. There were 20 staff, six of whom were teachers," recounted Childs, noting that school fees at the time was just Ksh3,000.
He noted that the team expanded the school by acquiring plots and soon, there was demand that they construct a secondary school on the property. Today, the school, which started in Gatanga, Murang'a County, has branches in Nairobi, Kisumu, Nanyuki and Mombasa, as well as across the borders in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
3. Dorothy Noad - Hillcrest
The management of Hillcrest is set to walk out with a hefty cheque after finalising the sale of the institution to the founders of Braeburn Group of Schools.
Hillcrest, which is among the most prestigious schools in Kenya, was founded by Dorothy Noad in 1965 and grew to international standards in 1972.
The High School arm of the institution was established in 1975 and saw 54 students enrolled in the three classrooms at the time. The institution charges between Ksh850,000 to Ksh1.1 million per term in school fees.
4. Kenyatta Family - Peponi Schools
The Kenyatta family, which has President Uhuru Kenyatta and his mother Mama Ngina Kenyatta at the helm, is well known for its vast investments including in the education sector.
Among the investments is the Peponi Group of Schools which is listed as one of the most expensive schools in Kenya.
It is located along the Thika Superhighway at the Kenyatta family-owned Gicheha farm in Ruiru, which has now rebranded to Northlands City.
A parent opting to take their child to Peponi School will be set back Ksh3.3 Million annually for a full border, translating to Ksh1.1 million per term.
Weekly boarders pay Ksh1.05 million per term and Ksh731,510 for day scholars, according to a 2019 fee structure on the school's official website.
5. Mary Okelo - Makini Schools
Billionaire Mary Okelo is a heavyweight in the country and has had her firm imprint in the prestigious category of the country's education sector.
According to historical books, the billionaire founded Makini Group of Schools in 1978 under the name Riara Gardens Academy. It had only eight students and operated from her own home.
The institution has since grown to accommodate over 2,000 students and has raised the standards of education in the country as she had set out to do.
The learning institution has grown into a reputable institution with a number of schools including Makini Cambridge, Makini Ngong Road Campus (Pre and Primary School), Makini Ngong Road Campus - High School, Makini Junior Academy, State House Avenue (Pre and Lower Primary), Makini Junior School Migosi, Makini School Kibos and Makini School Kisumu.
6. Daniel Moi - Kabarak Schools
The Moi family, which was headed by the late President Daniel Moi, is a well known name across the country that had footprints in various businesses.
In 1979, as part of his expansion plan, Moi set up Moi High School - Kabarak, a private mixed-boarding school, as well as Moi Primary School - Kabarak on his expansive Kabarak farm.
In 2002, the former Head of State carried on with his expansion plan by setting up Kabarak University. All the institutions are known for their strict adherence to Christian teachings.
7. Peter Munga - Pioneer Schools
Former Equity Bank Chairman Peter Munga's story is a typical grass-to-grace type, having risen from working as a handyman to former Minister John Michuki.
He was among the founders of the bank and in 1996, he also founded Pioneer Group of Schools and subsequently assumed the role of the Chairman of the Board of Management.
The institution, which offers a high quality of education, was established on a former colonial sisal farm and factory along the ridges of Maragua River in then Murang’a District.
It began by offering primary school education under the 8-4-4 system (Standard 4 to Standard 8) with around 100 pupils and has expanded to offer high school education.
Munga is also the owner of Pioneer Girls School in Thika, St Paul’s Thomas Academy and chairs the board of Pioneer International University.
