Kakamega School is one of Kenya’s top-performing national boys’ secondary schools, located in Kakamega County. The institution has a rich history dating back to 1932 and has evolved into a prestigious school known for academic excellence, sports, and the arts.
History of Kakamega School
Kakamega School’s origins trace back to 1925, when the idea for the institution was proposed by the Local Native Council of North Kavirondo District. The council, which represented what is today Kakamega, Bungoma, and Busia counties, envisioned a high-quality educational institution for African students in western Kenya. The first major steps toward establishing the school began in 1927, when the council agreed to fund the cost of African staff and boarding facilities. In 1931, a 100-acre piece of land near the River Isiukhu was allocated for the construction of the school, with the community raising money through taxation.
In 1932, the school officially opened under the name Government African School Kakamega, with the motto “In Unity is Strength.” The founding principal was Mr. Harold Arthur Waterloo Chapman, a graduate of Oxford University, who served as the school’s headmaster until 1955, marking the beginning of the institution’s academic tradition.
The school was later renamed Kakamega High School and then Kakamega School, eventually upgrading to national school status in 2012 in recognition of its sustained academic and infrastructural growth.
KCSE Performance at Kakamega School
Kakamega School is renowned for consistently achieving excellent results in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.
In the 2024 KCSE, Kakamega School presented over 600 candidates, with 78% of them achieving the minimum university entry grade of C+ and qualifying for full government sponsorship. The breakdown of the 2024 performance is as follows:
- Straight A’s: 8 students
- A-: 74 students
- B+: 80 students
- B: 86 students
- B-: 130 students
- C+: 97 students
- C: 97 students
- C-: 29 students
- D+: 10 students
- D: 2 students
The school achieved a mean score of 8.128, marking an improvement of 0.412 from the 2023 results. This consistent performance continues to solidify Kakamega School’s reputation as one of the best in the country.
School Fees
In accordance with the Ministry of Education’s 2020 guidelines, national schools in Kenya are grouped into four clusters. Kakamega School falls under Cluster One (I), with the official annual school fee capped at approximately Ksh 75,798.
However, actual fees may vary slightly depending on additional levies imposed by the school, which may cover expenses for uniforms, co-curricular activities, motivational programs, and school-specific initiatives. In 2025, the total fees for Form 2, 3, and 4 students were set at Ksh 85,798, inclusive of the government capitation fee of Ksh 22,244.
Location and Contacts
Kakamega School is located in Kakamega Town, which is easily accessible from major highways and is an educational hub for the region.
For any inquiries, complaints, or comments, you can contact the school’s administration using the following details:
- Mobile Phone/Telephone Number: 0707014500
- Postal Address: P.O. Box 90-50100, Kakamega
- Email Address: [email protected]
- KNEC Code: 37600001
Conclusion
Kakamega School has built a legacy of excellence and continues to offer quality education to students in Kenya. With a rich history, strong academic results, and comprehensive extracurricular offerings, Kakamega School remains a leader in secondary education.
