In the history of Kenya, there have been school principals who have transformed various institutions from obscurity to glory. To achieve this, these men and women had to inculcate a myriad of tactics including commitment to discipline, spirituality, extracurricular activities, effective communication among others.

It is always an uphill task to foster team work among teachers while at the same time molding students to become great personalities. The quest to see an institution stand on strong pillars necessitates a careful balance between strictness, open policy and conflict resolution.

In this article, we feature top renowned principals whose strict nature made their institutions excel.

1). Geoffrey Griffins (Starehe Boys Centre)

A former military man, and the founder of Starehe Boys Centre, Geoffrey Griffins laid the foundation of Starehe Boys Centre by molding young brains whose commitment to discipline was unmatched. According to Ephraim Njega, a popular economic analyst who is an alumnus, Griffins always asked students to commit themselves to thorough work as a priority rather than monetary gains. Griffins led Starehe from 1959 until his death in 2005.

2). Mrs Rebecca Karanja (Alliance Girls High School)

She steered the institution between 1985 and 2002 and is on record as being a leader who did not mince her words especially when reading the riot’s act.

Her favourite quote?

-“There is no platform in life where you go to give excuses why you didn’t succeed.”

Her high-handedness led to a student march against her in 2001.

3). Christopher Khaemba (Alliance High School, Friends School Kamusinga)

His legacy in the education sector is unmatched. This is cemented on the fact that he led both Alliance High School and Friends School Kamusinga through a commitment to high level of discipline. He taught Physics at AHS for 14 years before joining Kamusinga in 1995. He led the Bungoma based school for 3 years before rejoining AHS in 1998.

He has invested in the education sector and is the founder of African Leadership Academy (ALA) in South Africa and also serves as a director for Nova Pioneer Group of Schools.

4). Hillary Wambugu (Nyeri High School)

The late Father Hillary Wambugu led Nyeri High school from 1983 to 1998. A WoK fan described him as a disciplinarian who was nicknamed ‘Kahia’

5). Ruth Cheruiyot (Pangani Girls)

“Cherry” was her nickname. She was previously at Kenya High School before being transferred to Pangani Girls where she ran a tight ship.

6). Mr. Moses Ndeda (Litein Boys High School)

When he joined Litein Boys High School in 2007, the institution was among the most cherished schools in Kenya. Academically, it was at one time among the top 15 schools in Kenya competing the likes of Tengecha Boys and Moi Tea Girls.

“Under Mr. Moses Ndeda’s leadership, Litein transformed. Back then, the school was “on the ground” — modest, struggling, in need of vision. But Ndeda brought discipline, focus, and belief. He insisted on respect, on order,” says a former alumnus as quoted by Gan.

7). Paul Otula

Dozens of WoK readers nominated him as a tough principal who steered Maseno School and Mang’u High School to glory. Otula was also a passionate basketball coach and was an icon who became one of the pioneer recipients of the Principal of The Year Award. He passed away in 2025.

8). Gaylord Avedi (Musingu High School/Kakamega High School)

A disciplinarian per excellence who marched to the drumbeat of order. He was nicknamed ‘torch’ due to his hawk eyed attention to details and commitment to discipline. Away from academia, he served as a Permanent Secretary in the ministries for Cooperative Development and Energy. He also got to serve as a Chief of Staff in Vihiga County. He succumbed in 2020.

9).Simon Nabukwesi (Friends School Kamusinga)

He steered Friends School Kamusinga, taking over from Christopher Khaemba where he was nicknamed ‘Jeshi’ due to his unflinching nature of being as tough as an old boot.

10). Francis Carey

WoK fans nominated him as being a tough principal who led with an iron fist. He is a man whom Maseno students nicknamed ‘Achuma’ meaning man of steel.

Carey served during the colonial period and joined Alliance High School in 1940. He ruled with an iron fist; he banned wearing of trousers at Alliance High School and all African teachers were forced to wear shorts. At one time, he expelled and caned all the students after he found a notice he had pinned on the noticeboard missing. The students were only readmitted after writing a ‘thank you note’ for the beating and accepting they were wrong.

11). Edwin Namachanja (Friends School Kamusinga/Maranda High School)

A no-nonsense administrator who gives unruly students a penetrating gaze coupled with a flaring of nostrils like a pneumonia patient gasping for gas. Whenever he caught up disorderly students, he had a psychological trick to make them confess their undoing. The conversation would be like:

He served as a school principal in Friends School Kamusinga before joining Maranda High School.

12). Cosmas Nabungolo (St Joseph’s Boys Kitale)

Do not mistake his diminutive built to think you can easily shove him around. Nabungolo is a disciplinarian who is brutal for results; both in academics and extracurricular activities. For a long time, he led St. Anthony’s Boys Kitale before being transferred to St. Peter’s Mumias. He then got posted to St. Joseph’s Boys National School Kitale (JOBO).

13). Fred Mogaka (Kisii School)

He left a mark while serving as the principal of Riokindo Boys where the school saw a rebirth of a new era of excellence. He then got transferred to Kisii School where he currently captains. He cuts the figure of an intelligent administrator who mingles with students by donning the school uniform. Apparently, this also enables him to disguise himself as a student and able to bring to book unruly students.

14). Richard Sang (Litein Boys High School)

The current Litein Boys High School Principal made headlines for his strict nature which some allege may have fueled unrest in the school. Sang previously guided Kaplong Boys High School and Longisa Boys High School where he was known to be a master disciplinarian.

15). Henry Kiplagat (Kabarak High School)

Kiplagat led Kabarak High School between 2001 and 2015, marking an era that will be scripted in bold letters in the history of Kabarak. Under him, high levels of discipline was non-negotiable. Students were expected to be pious and good time managers.