Mangu High School photo. File
The Mangu High School Alumni Association has issued a statement defending the school’s national status amid growing public debate over Kenya’s secondary school placement system.
In a press statement released in Thika on January 7, 2026, the alumni took issue with recent remarks by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua concerning the admission of students to Mangu High School, saying the comments risk misrepresenting the mandate of national schools.
The alumni emphasised that Mangu High School is, and has always been, a national school that admits students from all parts of the country based on merit and established quotas designed to reflect Kenya’s diversity. They noted that this approach predates the current placement system and has been central to promoting national cohesion and equal opportunity.
The association dismissed claims that students from certain regions are admitted at the expense of others, stressing that admissions are not influenced by ethnicity, religion, or place of birth. According to the alumni, the school’s inclusive tradition is what has sustained its academic excellence and leadership legacy.
While supporting dialogue on improving the placement process, the alumni cautioned against narratives that could foster division, urging leaders to handle the issue with accuracy and restraint. They reaffirmed that Mangu High School belongs to all Kenyans and remains open to every deserving student.