In recent years, Kenya has emerged as a hub for high-quality international education, with a growing number of elite schools catering to the country’s affluent families and expatriate communities.
At the heart of these prestigious schools are their owners, visionaries and entrepreneurs who have invested significantly in educational excellence.
In this article, WoA takes a loom at individuals and companies behind Kenya’s most expensive international schools.
1. The International School of Kenya (ISK)
The International School of Kenya (ISK) was established in 1976, evolving from the US Community School founded in 1967 by Nancy Ellen Crooks.
Initially named Nairobi International School, it was taken over by the U.S. Embassy and Canadian High Commission due to financial difficulties and renamed ISK.
The school operates as a private, non-profit institution on a former coffee plantation, offering a North American curriculum and International Baccalaureate programs to approximately 1,000 students from over 65 nationalities.
2. St. Andrews, Turi
St. Andrew’s School, Turi, was founded in 1931 by Peter and Jean Lavers to serve the educational needs of the children of European settlers in Kenya’s White Highlands region.
Originally a preparatory school, it has since expanded to include a secondary school and college, accommodating around 600 students today13.
In 1944, a fire destroyed the school, but it was rebuilt with the help of Italian prisoners of war, symbolized by its phoenix crest.
The Lavers, known as Ma and Pa, later took over and significantly shaped the school’s development making it one of East Africa’s leading international schools.
3. Brookhouse School
Brookhouse School, founded in 1981 by Piyush Mehta, is a prominent private institution in Nairobi, Kenya, offering a British curriculum.
Initially owned solely by the Mehta family, it underwent a significant equity buyout in 2010, with AfricInvest acquiring a 30% stake alongside other investors.
In 2015, the school was sold to UK-based Educas for Ksh 3.6 billion, marking a major transaction in Kenya’s education sector.
4. Peponi School
Peponi School, founded in 1989, is located in Northlands City, Ruiru, and is associated with the Kenyatta family, one of Kenya’s wealthiest families.
The school offers a British curriculum and is known for its high fees, making it one of the most expensive educational institutions in Kenya.
The Kenyatta family’s commitment to education reflects their broader investment strategies, which include various sectors beyond education.
5. Woodland Star International School
Woodland Star International School, founded in 2011 by Mrs. Amy McKelvey, emerged from a need for a holistic educational approach in Nairobi.
With nearly three decades of experience in education, McKelvey aimed to create an inclusive environment that caters to diverse learning needs, particularly for neurodiverse students.
The school operates on a 100-acre eco-campus, and has expanded its offerings to include Early Years, Primary, Middle, and High School programs.
6. Hillcrest School
Hillcrest School in Nairobi, established in 1965 by Dorothy Noad and Frank Thompson, began as a preschool and expanded to include preparatory and secondary levels.
Kenneth Matiba, a prominent Kenyan politician, acquired the school in 1974, maintaining ownership for 37 years until it was sold to private equity firm Fanisi Capital in 2011.
The school later transitioned to GEMS Education in 2018 before being acquired by Braeburn Schools in early 2022, which plans to retain the Hillcrest brand while enhancing its educational offerings.
7. Braeburn Imani International School
Braeburn Imani International School, located in Thika, Kenya, was established in 1969 by Kenya Canners Ltd (now Del Monte Foods) and initially served as a small educational facility.
In 2010, Braeburn Schools acquired the site and expanded its offerings to include a full curriculum for students aged 2 to 18 years, integrating the British National Curriculum and international qualifications like A Levels and the IB Diploma.
The school is part of the Braeburn Group of International Schools, which operates multiple campuses across Kenya and Tanzania, led by Chief Executive Terry Childs and Managing Director Andy Hill.
The Braeburn Group of International Schools was founded by six members, including Terry Childs, Bill Martin, Peter Moll, Arron Kandie, Brig. Lucas M. Matu, and Ralph Diaper.
8. Banda School
The Banda School originated in Kaptagat, near Eldoret, where Mr. Jim Chitty established Kaptagat Preparatory School in 1956.
In 1966, due to property acquisition by the Dutch government, Chitty relocated the school to its current site, formerly the Banda Hotel, which reflects the Swahili term for a simple thatched building.
The school officially opened on September 1, 1966, with 24 students and eight staff members, quickly gaining recognition as a leading international school in Kenya and one of the largest IAPS schools outside the UK.
9. Kenton College Preparatory School
Kenton College Preparatory School, established in January 1924 by Finlay Cramb, began in a German sanatorium in Kijabe, Kenya.
It relocated to its current site in Kileleshwa in 1935, with its original structures built by 1934.
During World War II, the school served as a military headquarters, necessitating temporary relocation of students.
Over the years, it transitioned from an all-boys boarding school to a co-educational institution, with significant leadership changes influencing its growth and curriculum adaptations.
10. Rosslyn School
Rosslyn Academy, located in Nairobi, Kenya, has its origins in the 1940s as Mara Hills Academy, established by the Eastern Mennonite Mission for the children of missionaries.
In 1967, it relocated to its current site on a former coffee plantation, transitioning from a boarding school to a day school in 1986.
The Southern Baptist Convention and Assemblies of God later joined as sponsors, enhancing its educational offerings.
The school now serves a diverse student body with a North American curriculum from preschool to twelfth grade, emphasizing Christian values and academic excellence.
