National Schools Unite: Alumni Slam Gachagua’s Regional Bias in Grade 10 Placements
Alliance High School and Mangu High School alumni have firmly rejected former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s calls for regional prioritization in admissions, reaffirming their institutions’ status as national treasures open to merit-based entry from all Kenyans.
This response underscores ongoing tensions in Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) transition amid Grade 10 placements.
The debate highlights broader issues of equity, unity, and education policy in a diverse nation.
Gachagua’s Church Remarks Ignite Firestorm
Rigathi Gachagua voiced frustration on January 4, 2026, at AIPCA Kiratina Church in Githunguri, Kiambu County, questioning why students from outside Mt. Kenya join elite schools like Alliance and Mang’u while local high-achievers face lower placements.
He labeled the system “confused and unfair,” accusing the government of mismanaging placements under CBC, including errors sending Kiambu students to distant schools.
Gachagua tied this to criticisms of President William Ruto’s leadership, claiming dismantled education gains like free secondary schooling.
Alumni Statements Defend National Character
Mangu High School Alumni, in a January 7 statement, clarified their school as a national institution admitting on merit and quotas reflecting Kenya’s diversity, rejecting ethnic exclusions.
“While we acknowledge the right of leaders to raise concerns on matters of public interest, we wish to firmly and respectfully clarify that Mang’u High School is, and has always been, a national school. By design and by policy, national schools admit students from all parts of the country based on merit and clearly defined quotas that reflect Kenya’s diversity.”
Alliance High School Old Boys Club echoed this, stating the school belongs to no single community and Gachagua lacks direct ties to it.
“The Alumni Group wishes to state clearly that Alliance High School does not belong to any one community, region, or political constituency. Further, Hon. Gachagua has never been a student, parent, or Board member of Alliance High School, and therefore does not speak for the school, its values, or its alumni.”
Both groups urged constructive dialogue to fix placement issues like misplacements and bribery allegations without eroding unity.
Storied Histories of Alliance and Mang’u
Alliance High School opened in 1926 under the Alliance of Protestant Missions, drawing boys from across Kenya to promote vocational and academic excellence beyond tribal lines.
Mang’u High School, founded in 1925 by Catholic missionaries, started with 35 pupils from varied regions like Bura, Kiambu, and Nairobi, emphasizing service and diversity.
These origins cement their roles as national schools fostering leaders like Kenya’s first President Jomo Kenyatta from Alliance.
CBC Grade 10: Merit-Based Selection Rules
Kenya’s senior secondary placement prioritizes top performers per gender and track (STEM, Social Sciences, Arts/Sports) from sub-counties, with learners selecting up to 12 schools via KEMIS.
National schools like Alliance and Mang’u admit based on merit, quotas for inclusivity (gender, regions, refugees), and capacity, ensuring no more than five from one JSS per school.
A second revision window from January 6-9 addresses complaints, with the Ministry vowing audits against corruption claims of Ksh100,000-150,000 bribes.
Critics warn Gachagua’s rhetoric risks tribalism, echoing North Eastern MPs’ concerns over exclusionary tones.
Supporters see it as advocating for locals amid capacity strains, with 20,000 review requests overwhelming top schools.
Education stakeholders push reforms balancing merit, proximity, and diversity to sustain national cohesion built over decades.
As placements continue, this saga tests Kenya’s commitment to a unified education system.
The alumni pushback reinforces that national schools unite Kenya’s brightest, countering divisive narratives amid CBC challenges like funding delays and errors.
“National schools exist to bring together Kenya’s brightest minds from every county, fostering shared identity and mutual understanding,” the statement read.
Policymakers face calls to enhance transparency, expand capacities, and prioritize talent over ethnicity.
Ultimately, preserving merit-based access ensures these institutions continue producing leaders for all Kenyans. This episode spotlights the need for dialogue to align education with national values.