KENYA BEYOND 2005

The history of Githunguri is the history of Kenya. Githunguri among others is renown for it being the site for the independent school set up to avail higher education to Africans in competition or compliment, depending on ones sentiments, with missionary schools. Higher education in colonial Kenya was provided predominantly by missionaries. It was therefore skewed to favor the proponents of the faith. After the break with the traditionalists following the female circumcision prohibition of 1929, those that continued to practice the ritual were denied chances in the missionary high schools. In early 1930’s independent committees were formed to establish independent schools. The schools were to cater for the increasing number of young kikuyu who missed opportunities in the mission schools like Alliance and Mangu. By 1939 there were 63 Kikuyu independent schools in Kenya with an enrollment of about 13,000 pupils. It was in this year that the two main independent schools organizations, Kikuyu Independent Schools Association, (KISA) and Kikuyu Karinga Education Association (KKEA), came together and agreed to establish a teacher training college. Githunguri, the site of Kikuyu first independent school, was selected as the site for the college. The Kenya African Teachers College, as it was called, trained African teachers for East and Central Africa. Githunguri independent school was the biggest of all independent schools providing education from elementary through primary to secondary and college. By 1947 the school had an enrollment of over 1000 pupils with Mbiyu Koinange, the first Kenyan to hold an MA degree, as the principal, Kenyatta as administrator and other Kenyan luminaries like James Gichuru as teachers.

Githunguri became the hub and center of learning with the establishment and growth of the school. Students came from all over the country to further their education and train as teachers. The growth and management of the school was a lesson in self determination. It showed that the African could run institutions of higher learning and train young men independent of the government and missionaries. This was a direct challenge to the established order. The colonialist viewed this as a threat. Inevitably the concentration of so many independent minds led to general political education and awareness. To the colonialist this success in independent education was a threat to the established order, and they tried their best to frustrate this effort. With the declaration of emergency in 1952, all the independent schools were closed down. The buildings in Githunguri were burnt down and the site became a temporary holding ground for political agitators. Today on the foundations of the new college buildings that were being put up stand the offices of the local District Officer.

Githunguri is host to many first. It is the home to the first day high school in Kenya, St Joseph’s High School Githunguri. It is among the first sites of Harambee secondary schools in Kenya. Currently, with over twenty high schools, Githunguri has more high schools than the whole of North Eastern Province. Its student population is perhaps higher than the total population of some districts. It is the home of the first African dairy milk producers cooperative society in Kenya, Githunguri Dairy Farmer’s Cooperative Society.
Githunguri is home to leading figures in Kenyan politics and governance. It is home to late vice president Josphat Karanja, it is home to former AG Joseph Kamere, home to former Head of civil service, Jeremiah Kiereini, home to former Auditor General, Gicho Njoroge, home to former cabinet minister and current MP, Arthur Magugu, home to two former nominated MPs, Jackson Kamau and Rose Waruhiu, home to fiery politician and doyen of Moi oppositionists Njehu Gatabaki and home to one of its luminous sons and freedom fighter Waira Kamau.

With its rich history it is incumbent upon the current leadership to commission a program to preserve it. A local museum to house the independent schools history and a research center for the independent schools movement would be a good starting point. There are still a number of former students of these schools around and their experience and knowledge should be tapped and preserved in scholarly papers. The center would be expanded to house cultural festivals and preserve cultural artifacts for posterity. The center would engage a few of the many graduates in history, sociology and anthropology in guided research and report writing. The center would be a local resource center for teachers and students. With collaboration with the Kenya National Library Services it would provide library services for the local community. I am sure this is a local project that would attract support widely. Token allocations from the constituency development fund would perhaps attract funds from other organizations and donors. The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.

Charles Wairia