Kisii School, widely known as Kisii High, has long been one of Kisii County’s strongest academic institutions. Year after year it turns out high-scoring candidates and solid mean grades, and its latest KCSE showing has put it back in the spotlight.
How the school performed in the latest KCSE
The most recent figures available are for the 2025 exam. Of the 620 candidates who sat the paper, 560 earned a C+ or better, which is the range that qualifies for a university place. That works out to a 90 percent pass rate, with only about 60 candidates missing the cut. The school finished with a mean score of 8.52.
The school is also known for its high achievers. One candidate got an A and another 60 got an A-, bringing the total to 61 students at the top of the scale.
Grade distribution (2025)
| Grade | Students |
|---|---|
| A | 1 |
| A- | 60 |
| B+ | 108 |
| B | 158 |
| B- | 144 |
| C+ | 89 |
| C | 40 |
| C- | 15 |
| D+ | 5 |
| D, D-, E | 0 |
Results over the years
Here is how the school’s numbers have moved since 2006. Figures for 2026 have not yet been published.
| Year | Candidates | Mean score | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 620 | 8.52 | 90% |
| 2024 | 671 | 8.58 | 84% |
| 2023 | 565 | 8.95 | 92% |
| 2022 | 527 | 9.12 | 95% |
| 2021 | 569 | 8.891 | 91% |
| 2020 | 463 | 9.019 | 91% |
| 2019 | 445 | 8.381 | 78% |
| 2018 | 445 | 7.652 | 69% |
| 2017 | 352 | 8.273 | 80% |
| 2016 | 301 | 7.993 | 78% |
| 2015 | 383 | 10.00 | 97% |
| 2014 | 323 | 10.12 | 55% |
| 2013 | 323 | 10.11 | 100% |
| 2012 | 342 | 9.140 | 95% |
| 2011 | 316 | 9.045 | 92% |
| 2010 | 301 | 8.159 | 81% |
| 2009 | 300 | 7.692 | 71% |
| 2008 | 282 | 8.121 | 82% |
| 2007 | 319 | 9.144 | 96% |
| 2006 | 211 | 8.332 | 89% |
A short history
Kisii School began in 1934 as a Government African School, financed directly by the Native Council of South Kavirondo. The land was donated by Senior Chief Musa Nyandusi of Nyaribari location, who was the father of the well-known politician Simeon Nyachae. The first buildings were put up by masons from the Kabete Industrial Training Depot.
The campus sits roughly 1.5 kilometres from Kisii town, next to Kisii University and Kereri Girls High School. Across the road are Kisii National Polytechnic and Kari Primary School. The school’s green uniform and badge draw on Pan-Africanist ideas and the colours of the Kenyan flag.
For its first five decades the school was run by headmasters. Its first official principal, Mr Kinyua, took over in 1987. Caspar Maina Momanyi, who later moved to Nairobi School, is among those who have led it since. The current principal is Fred Mogaka, who previously headed Riokindo High School.
Beyond the classroom
Students get involved in a wide range of activities, including science and engineering fairs, rugby, handball, basketball, football, hockey, badminton, table tennis, music, drama and athletics.
Notable alumni
Over almost ninety years, the school has produced many well-known graduates, including:
- David Maraga, former Chief Justice of Kenya
- Fred Matiang’i, former Cabinet Secretary for Interior and for Education
- James Ongwae, first Governor of Kisii County
- Chris Obure, first Senator of Kisii County
- Cornel Rasanga Amoth, first Governor of Siaya County
- Wycliffe Oparanya, first Governor of Kakamega County
- Simeon Nyachae, former Transport Cabinet Secretary and Ford People Party leader
- Dalmas Otieno, Rongo MP and former Cabinet Minister
- John Henry Okwanyo, former Cabinet Minister for Commerce and Industry
- Richard Momoima Onyonka, former Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Kisii County Senator
- George Nyamweya, former nominated MP
- Joseph Odero-Jowi, Kenya’s Ambassador to the UN and a former minister
- Joshua Oigara, former CEO of KCB Group and current CEO of Stanbic Bank
- Ratemo Michieka, founding Vice-Chancellor of JKUAT
- Robert Ouko, gold-medal-winning athlete
- Henry Nyandoro and Simon Mulama, former footballers for Shabana FC and Mathare United
- John Machethe Muiruri, former midfielder in Belgium’s top division
Other strong schools
If you are comparing options, other high performers include Kereri Girls, Nyabururu Girls, Kenya High, Maranda High, Sironga Girls, Riokindo Boys, Alliance High, Nyambaria Boys, Nairobi School and Menyenya High.
Contact details
- Category: National School
- Motto: Strive for Excellence
- KNEC code: 40700003
- Mobile: 0706499422
- Telephone: 0788307701
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: kisiischool.ac.ke
- Postal address: P.O. Box 11, 40200 Kisii
Overall, Kisii School’s KCSE record points to a school that keeps delivering strong, steady academic results.
