It's no secret that powerful and wealthy tycoons spare no expense in acquiring quality education by attending prestigious schools either in the country or abroad.
What is also common among some of these billionaires is that they attended same schools or were classmates.
From business magnates James Mwangi, Peter Ndegwa to Presidential aspirant Jimi Wanjigi, Kenyans.co.ke takes a closer look at the prestigious high schools these billionaires attended.
St Mary's School
Situated in Nairobi off James Gichuru Road, the high school has had prestigious names in the recent past with former President Uhuru Kenyatta topping the list.
A recent report by Oxfam International ranked President Kenyatta as the fourth richest person in the country with a net-worth of Ksh60 billion.
In his high school days, the former Head of State was involved in co-curricular activities such as Rugby. Surprisingly, Uhuru schooled alongside notable personalities who went on to become billionaires such as Presidential aspirant and business magnate, Jimi Wanjigi, KANU party leader Gideon Moi, former President Mwai Kibaki's son Jimmy Kibaki.
Alliance High school
There is a certain grandeur that is associated with Alliance High School alumni based on the fame and prestige that the academic giant has gained over the years.
From judges to politicians and businessmen, the personalities are known to pull the Alliance card on many occasions.
Among the notable names who attended the school include the Late Central Bank of Kenya Governor Duncan Ndegwa, former Busia Senator Amos Wako, Banking Executive John Gachora and John Mworia- accountant and business executive who took over the helm of Centum Investment from the late Chris Kirubi.
Further, some of the politicians who wielded immense power during Founding President, Jomo Kenyatta's reign also attended the prestigious school.
These include Charles Rubia, Dawson Mwanyumba, Jackson Angaine, Charles Njonjo, Kitili Mwendwa, Jeremiah Nyaga, Ronald Ngala, Paul Ngei, Robert Matano, Munyua Waiyaki, Julius Kiano, and Nathan Munoko and Ngala Mwendwa.
Starehe Boys Centre
Popularly known for its red shirts, black blazers, and blue shorts, Starehe Boys Centre has been at the upper echelon of the secondary education sector in the recent past.
The school domiciled in Nairobi has been lauded for the impeccable performance during previous national examinations.
Notable names such as former Gatanga Member of Parliament Peter Kenneth, former Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju and Safaricom's CEO Peter Ndegwa.
Mang'u High
The school, founded by the Catholics Holy Ghost Fathers, has contributed a fair share of influential personalities in positions of leadership and governance.
The Former President Mwai Kibaki , who studied between 1947 and 1950, is a notable alumnus. Others include billionaire and politician Zedekiah Kiprop Bundotich, popularly known as Buzeki, and businessman Joseph Wanjui.
Kisii High
Founded in 1934, the institution was established as a government institution that trained Kenyans to take over available white collar jobs. Over the years, the school has risen to host a number of notable people.
Former powerful Cabinet Minister Simeon Nyachae became one of its first alumnus. Others include former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, his Kisii counterpart James Ongwae and Cornel Rasanga (Siaya).
Maranda High
The school rose to prominence after the release of KCSE 2020 exams when it emerged among the top performers in the country and produced a mean score of 9.76.
The school however, was established in 1919 by the Late Shadrack Osewe. Nearly all the tutors are alumni of the school according to the Maranda High School Alumni Association.
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga joined the school in 1962 alongside his brother Oburu Odinga.
The Late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo are also notable alumni.
Notable Mentions
There have been other schools that have produced notable and wealthy personalities such as Starehe School's founder Geoffrey Griffin and former Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi who attended Nairobi school.
Business moguls James Mwangi and Gideon Muriuki attended Kagumo High school. Businessman Naushad Merali, ranked as the richest person in the country, attended Highway Secondary School, Nairobi. President William Ruto joined Wareng Secondary school in 1980 before going to Kapsabet High for his A-Levels.
