Friends School Kamusinga

The school was established by Allan Bradley (a British Native who died aged 90 in February 2000) in 1956 as a transfer unit for Friends School Kaimosi from Kaimosi in Vihiga County. He is remembered by the school by holding an annual intra-school sports tournaments dubbed 'Allan Bradley's Day', held on 18 February of every year. The first Allan Bradley's Day Tournament was on 18 February 2006.{{cite news |last1=Luchetu |first1=Calistus |title=Friends Kamusinga to host Allan Bradly Memorial tournament |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2018/01/25/friends-kamusinga-to-host-allan-bradly-memorial-tournament_c1698816 |work=The Star, Kenya }}{{cite web|url=http://fsk.sc.ke/content.php?pid=Welcome|title=Friends School Kamusinga}}

The school continues to maintain relations with members of the Allan Bradley family such as Ruth Bradley and Peter Bradley who find possible ways to support the school whenever possible.

File:Peter Bradley (Son of School Founder) with Former School Principal Mr. Edwin Namachanja.jpg

File:School Administration block.jpg

The school produced the best 2006 K.C.S.E. (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education) national candidate, Dickens Omanga.{{cite news |title=KCSE: Top marks for Alliance School |url=https://www.nation.co.ke/news/1056-541584-k6oeg3z/index.html |accessdate=20 June 2018 |work=Daily Nation }}

Due to scrapping of school rankings nationwide by the Ministry of Education, the ranking of the school is not available since 2018. Based on performance comparison the school boasts production of the highest number of A, A- and B+ grades compared to most schools in the country, making it still one of the top schools in the country.{{cite news |title=Kamusinga Principal lauds abolition of school ranking {{!}} Kenya News Agency |url=http://kenyanewsagency.go.ke/en/?p=50889 |accessdate=21 June 2018 |work=kenyanewsagency.go.ke}} In 2011, before ranking was abolished, the school ranked 12th nationwide.{{cite news |last1=Standard |first1=The |title=Western produces 10 best schools in county list |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000053142/western-produces-10-best-schools-in-county-list |accessdate=21 June 2018 |work=The Standard }} In 2016 it ranked 4th.{{cite news |last1=Okwaras |first1=Raisa |url=https://www.jambonews.co.ke/friends-school-kamusinga-boys-high-school-location-contacts-knec-code-kcse-results-form-one-selection/ |title=List: Friends School Kamusinga Boys High School location, contacts, Knec code, KCSE results, form one selection|date=13 November 2019|access-date=8 November 2019}} In 2017 it emerged position 15.

{{Cite web|url=https://citizentv.co.ke/news/list-top-100-schools-in-2017-kcse-186035 |title=List: Top 100 schools in 2017 KCSE|date=20 December 2017|access-date=8 November 2019}} In 2021 it ranked 7th nationally.{{cite news |last1=Reporter |first1=Nation |title=KCSE 2021: List of top 150 schools |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/education/kcse-2021-list-of-top-150-schools-3793516 |access-date=27 April 2022 |work=Nation |date=26 April 2022 |language=en}} In 2024 it ranked 12th nationally.{{Cite news |last=Ondieki |first=Elvis |title=Revealed: Kenya’s top 200 schools in 2024 KCSE |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/education/revealed-kenya-s-top-200-schools-in-2024-kcse-4885250 |work=Daily Nation |publication-date=11 January 2025}}

The school is headed by Paul Weloba Wanyonyi, who took over the helm in January 2023.{{cite news |last1=Ngina |first1=Fay |title=PHOTOS: High School principal shocks many by wearing uniform |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/ureport/story/2001282413/photos-high-school-principal-shocks-many-by-wearing-uniform |work=UREPORT-CITIZEN JOURNALISM}} The school was previously headed by Alex Kariuki from 2018 to January 2023. He retired in January 2023.{{cite news |title=Kamusinga Principal shows up in full school uniform and netizens can't keep calm |url=https://www.tuko.co.ke/266717-kamusinga-principal-shows-full-school-uniform-netizens-t-calm.html#266717 |work=Tuko.co.ke – Kenya news.}}

Nicolas Guy Barnett was a British teaching member of staff between 1960 and 1961. He later became member of parliament of South Dorset between 1962 and 1964, and later Greenwich between 1971 and 1986 in the 42nd and 45th Parliament of the United Kingdom.British Library Integrated Catalogue entry: By the Lake. [With illustrations, including a map.] pp. 75. University Press: Cambridge, 1965. This book describes traditional cultures in Western Kenya (An Annotated Bibliography of the Visual Arts of East Africa By Eugene C. Burt on "Google Booksearch").

The school was previously headed by Simon Nabukwesi who headed the school from 1998 to January 2009, when he was appointed as Kenyan ambassador to Canada in a series of diplomatic appointments by Kenya's 3rd president Mwai Kibaki.{{cite news |last1=Mugonyi |first1=David |title=Former MPs named in new diplomatic line up |url=https://www.nation.co.ke/news/1056-515198-k8gby6z/index.html |work=Daily Nation |date=15 January 2009 |accessdate=18 September 2018}}

Before Nabukwesi's helm at the school, Christopher Khaemba was the principal from 1995 to 1998{{cite news |last1=Githuku |first1=Emmanuel |title=Former Teacher Who Owns Multi-Billion Schools in Kenya and South Africa |url=https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/47588-former-teacher-who-owns-multi-billion-schools-kenya-and-south-africa |accessdate=3 May 2020 |agency=kenyans.co.ke}} before transferring to Alliance High School as principal, and thereafter to African Leadership Academy as the school's founding dean in Johannesburg, South Africa.{{cite news |last=Njagi |first=Anthony |title=Ex-Kamusinga and Alliance Principal Lands Big Job |url=https://www.nation.co.ke/news/education/Ex-Alliance-principal-Khaemba-lands-big-position/2643604-4140410-15ffp4cz/index.html |work=Daily Nation |date=15 October 2017 |accessdate=17 September 2018}} He is currently the director and co-founder of the Nova Pioneer Academies, which operates in Kenya and South Africa.

The school comprises ten departments that oversee the school programs and curricular activities. These are the Examination Department, Technical Department, Sciences Department, Math Department, Swahili & Other Languages Departments, English & Libraries Department, Games Department, Boarding Department, School Worship Program Department, and Guidance & Counselling Department.{{cite web |title=Kamusinga Departments |url=http://fsk.sc.ke/content.php?teachers |website=fsk.sc.ke }}

The heads of each department are appointed by the school principal.

The school has a board of management (B.O.G.) and Parents Teachers Association (P.T.A.) organs that assist the school administration in leadership and management.

Every year, 300-600 students are selected based on academic merit and quota as per the Kenyan standard education policy. Academic merit is based on performance on the K.C.P.E. (Kenya Certificate of Primary Education) exams. Its quota system ensures that the school admits boys from every county in the country, though with bias to students from public schools as the current education policy requires.

Students are admitted on a need-blind basis. At any given time, there are needy students whose tuition and boarding fees are paid by parties other than their parents or guardians.

On average the school's final year candidates get up to 98% admission into top universities in the country by merit through standard Kenyan public university placement procedures for students who have excelled on the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education. By virtue of the school's ranking over the years, with most students scoring A, A- and B+, most students get into university through merit.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

File:School Gate.png

The emblem is a cheetah poised on its back limbs which appears to be clawing the air.

A banner is floated below the emblem, reading "Use Common Sense".

File:Former School Principal Mr. Edwin Namachanja in the Principal's Office.png

Upon arrival, every form 1 student is assigned to a 'guardian' who is a form 2 student who will help the new student find his way around the school in the first few weeks.

The school had a compulsory use of full cutlery set – fork, spoon and knife – during meals(currently only a spoon is required), which was resisted by shagz-modos, but most students and alumni are now grateful as it accounts for their refined etiquette.

Various platforms like the drama and music competitions provide students with a chance to showcase their talents. The drama club organizes the biggest comic show of the entire year called "Talents Night" where students simulate the Monday morning school assembly and imitate their teachers.

Students are also given a chance to showcase their talents during the interclass and interhouse competitions.Disciplines of all sorts including indoor sports are showcased.

The school has 20 houses{{Cite web |title=Boarding Life: Fostering Brotherhood, Building Character |url=https://www.fsk-kamusinga.sc.ke/fsk-life/boarding-life |website=fsk-kamusinga.sc.ke}}

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

• Victory House
• Elgon House
• Kenya House
• Kenyatta House
• Aggrey house
• Chetambe House
• Nakhisa House
• Nyerere house
• Jamhuri wing A
• Jamhuri wing B
• Jamhuri wing c
• Jamhuri wing D
• Jamhuri wing E
• Jamhuri wing F
• Amugune house
• Dr. Mailu House
• Muliro House
• Harambee House
• Nyayo House
• Allan Bradley House

{{div col end}}

The prefects are key to the running of the school. They see that the school routine and school rules are adhered to. They have the authority to punish culprits via the prefect's punishment department. Punishments include washing corridors and rooms and in some extreme cases, working in the school farm or tending to flowerbeds. Punishees are announced on parade everyday of the week and assigned for punishment.

A total of about 110 prefects are chosen each year. 24 of the most outstanding prefects are given top honors in becoming Senior Prefects or Captains. These Captains are allocated various major departments in the school. The school's departments include:{{cite news |last1=Wanjala |first1=Chris |title=Going down memory lane with doyen of publishing {{!}} Kenya |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/weekend/going-down-memory-lane-with-doyen-of-publishing-1183384?view=htmlamp |work=nation.africa |date=25 March 2016}}

• Dining Hall
• Entertainment
• Games
• Library
• Computer Lab
• Academic

Kamusinga offers its students opportunities to play various sports and join teams that participate in various tournaments. The sports include swimming, badminton, table tennis, hockey, basketball, rugby, volleyball, handball and soccer.

File:School Swimming Pool.jpg

The school has won Kenya national secondary schools games in hockey 19 times as well as East Africa regional hockey games 18 times since 1999, except for 2010, 2015 and 2017 since the introduction of the game in the school in 1997.{{cite news |last1=Pilipili |first1=-Oscar |title=Hockey: Kamusinga off to flying start at Lenana Open |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/article/2000103306/hockey-kamusinga-off-to-flying-start-at-lenana-open |work=Standard Digital News }}{{cite news |last1=Mburugu |first1=Elizabeth |title=Kenyans too good for Ugandans as Sinyolo, Kamusinga show class in hockey battle |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/article/2000214062/kenyans-too-good-for-ugandans-as-sinyolo-kamusinga-show-class-in-hockey-battle |work=Standard Digital News |date=31 August 2016 }}{{cite news |last1=PILIPILI |first1=OSCAR |title=Kenya schools' Sinyolo, Kamusinga clinch hockey honours |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/article/2000092420/kenya-schools-sinyolo-kamusinga-clinch-hockey-honours |work=Standard Digital News |date=1 September 2013 }}{{cite news |last1=Mburugu |first1=Elizabeth |title=KAMUSINGA EYE TITLE DEFENCE: National boys' hockey giants chase 17th regional trophy |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/article/2001233588/kamusinga-eye-title-defence-national-boys-hockey-giants-chase-17th-regional-trophy |work=Standard Digital News }}{{cite news |last1=Mburugu |first1=Elizabeth |title=Friends School Kamusinga dethrone St Anthony's Kitale |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/article/2001339277/friends-school-kamusinga-dethrone-st-anthony-s-kitale |work=Standard Digital News }}

The school has a basketball team referred to as the Tigers.{{cite news |title=Kamusinga win basketball opener |url=https://www.nation.co.ke/sports/Kamusinga-win-basketball-opener-/1090-2281072-ah3h28/index.html |accessdate=19 June 2018 |work=Daily Nation }} The school has represented the Western Province at the nationals since 2004. In 2009 it was the first runner-up while in 2011 it was the 2nd runner-up at the K.S.S.S.A. (Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association) national term 1A ball games. Over the years the school has continued to be one of the best basketball teams in the country and east Africa games because of its sterling performance.{{cite news |last1=Standard |first1=The |title=Captains Michael Owino of St Austin's Academy and Kamusinga's Tylor Okari during their national championships basketball semi-final match at Kangaru B |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/1144019854/captains-michael-owino-of-st-austin-s-academy-and-kamusinga-s-tylor-okari-during-their-national-championships-basketball-semi-final-match-at-kangaru-b |work=The Standard }}

The school's dramatics club has over the years represented Western Province in the National Drama festivals in the Narrative category, winning in the whole country and entertaining the head of state from 1999 until 2006. The drama club at the time was headed by Mark Mutali Chetambe{{cite news |last1=Njagi |first1=Anthony |title=Senator Malala's play emerges top in western region |url=https://www.nation.co.ke/news/Senator-Malala-passion-for-drama/1056-4356382-12qju5o/index.html |accessdate=25 June 2018 |work=Daily Nation |date=24 March 2018 }} and Isaac Shitubi. They produced various narrators and actors including Isaac Mwaura, Augustine Oluoch, John Paul Wafula and Jimmy Wanjala.{{cite news |last1=Makeni |first1=John |title=New theatre group out to tap talent from drama festival |url=https://www.nation.co.ke/news/New-theatre-group-out-to-tap-talent-from-drama-festival/1056-1222016-rsurhz/index.html |work=Daily Nation |date=19 August 2011 }} in 2019 other actors like Brandon Karoli and Bakuli Hemed emerged

The school has a Science Congress team which is currently ranked 'The Best Boys School in Kenya', 'Best School in Science' nationally in the field and overall ranked fifth nationally.{{cite news |title=104 schools take part in County Science Congress |url=http://educationnews.co.ke/2017/04/06/104-schools-take-part-in-county-science-congress/ |accessdate=30 January 2020 |work=Education News }}{{cite news |title=Strengthening the quality of education through Innovation is key in achieving Vision 2030 |url=http://saenyibuzz.blogspot.com/2011/06/strengthening-quality-of-education_13.html/ |accessdate=30 January 2020 |work=Daniel Saenyi }}{{cite web|title=Kenya National School Science Competition 2009 |url=https://www.rsc.org/images/KenyaSchoolsComp2009_tcm18-155773.pdf |accessdate=30 January 2020 |work=Royal Society of Chemistry & sygenta }}{{cite web|title=THE NATIONAL SCIENCE COMPETITION REPORT |url=https://www.rsc.org/images/KenyanNationalScienceCompetition_tcm18-149550.pdf |accessdate=30 January 2020 |work=Royal Society of Chemistry & sygenta }}{{cite news|title=Students who won't have to look for work |url=https://www.nation.co.ke/lifestyle/dn2/Students-who-wont-have-to-look-for-work/957860-2295750-krsejkz/index.html/ |accessdate=30 January 2020 |work=Daily Nation }}{{cite web|url=http://tum.ac.ke/assets/research/sec_sti/CONFERENCE%20PROCEEDINGS%20FIRST%20ST&I%20WEEK.pdf|title=National Council For Science & Technology|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628074149/http://tum.ac.ke/assets/research/sec_sti/CONFERENCE%20PROCEEDINGS%20FIRST%20ST%26I%20WEEK.pdf|archive-date=28 June 2018|accessdate=31 July 2018}}

There are over 20 clubs and societies including the Amateur Radio Club, the Dramatic Society, Law and Debate Club, Scouting, the White Fingers Peace Initiative, the Computer Club, Science Congress, the International Information Exchange Program Club, the School Choir, the Science and Robotics Club, the Integrity Club, the Writers' Club, the Poetry Society, Kiswahili Club, the Model United Nations, the Christian Union, and Muslim Association.{{Cite web|title=History – FWCC Africa|url=https://www.fwccafrica.org/about/history/|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-16}}{{failed verification|reason=the listed clubs and societies are not mentioned in the source|date=May 2020}}

• Henry Chakava, Kenyan publisher
• Benjamin Cheboi, first governor of Baringo County, currently a politician affiliated to URP party
• Chris Kirubi, businessman, entrepreneur, industrialist and philanthropist. Served as a director of Centum Investment Company
• Kakai Kissinger, human rights activist and attorney, former Chief Registrar of the Judiciary of Kenya
• Kenneth Lusaka, Speaker of the Senate of Kenya, first governor of Bungoma County
• Cleopa Kilonzo Mailu, Kenya's ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations World Trade and former Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Health{{cite news |last1=Mukinda |first1=Fred |title=Uhuru gives former ministers soft landing |url=https://www.nation.co.ke/news/politics/Former-Cabinet-secretaries-get-soft-landing/1064-4280490-cje0ofz/index.html |accessdate=26 March 2020 |work=Daily Nation }}
• Cleophas Malala, senator, Kakamega County
• Mubarak Muyika,{{cite news |last1=Ciuri |first1=Simon |title=Investor shuns Harvard to pursue tech dream |url=https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/magazines/Investor-shuns-Harvard-to-pursue-tech-dream/1248928-1976952-2erkr/index.html |work=Business Daily |date=2 September 2011 }} Internet entrepreneur and businessman
• Ferdinand Omanyala,{{cite news |last1=Wadegu |first1=Francis |title=Life on the fast lane for Omanyala after Olympics heroics |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/sports/athletics/2021-08-27-life-on-the-fast-lane-for-omanyala-after-olympics-heroics/ |work=The Star |date=27 August 2021 |language=en-KE}} sprinter and 2020 Olympics record holder
• Tylor Ongwae Okari,{{cite news |last1=Team |first1=Nation |title=Kenya: Kamusinga Give Laiser the Creeps |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201004061227.html |access-date=10 March 2021 |work=Allafrica.com |date=6 April 2010}}{{cite news |last1=Lupo |first1=Nicola |title=Bakken Bears' Tylor Ongwae extends contract for another year |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/bakken-bears-tylor-ongwae-extends-contract-for-another-year/ |work=Sportando |date=22 March 2020}} basketball player for Bakken Bears,Kenya's National Basketball Team and holder of three Basketligaen titles.
• Moses Wetangula, served in the Government of Kenya as Minister for Foreign Affairs 2008–2010 and 2011–2012; Minister for Trade 2012–2013

{{reflist}}

• {{official website|http://www.fsk.sc.ke/}}

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