Principals of secondary schools in Kenya are entrusted with the responsibility of guiding their institutions towards excellence, which is reflected in the students’ performance in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, as well as, to a lesser degree, their involvement in extra-curricular activities.
While many principals project authority through their professional attire, including suits, some choose to wear the school uniform. This decision is often driven by a desire to make themselves more approachable to students, while in some cases, it serves as a way to blend in and catch students engaged in mischief.
Here are a few notable principals known for wearing school uniforms:
Wilson Achoko
Wilson Achoko, the principal of Barwesa Secondary School in Baringo County, is one of the principals who wears the school uniform to foster a connection with the students. He believes that his decision to dress like the students has helped create an environment where they feel more comfortable approaching him. He noted that initially,
students avoided his office, but once he began wearing the uniform, they became more open. Additionally, he implemented an open-door policy to encourage students to voice their concerns. This shift in approach was particularly important after the burning of a girls’ dormitory in 2020, an incident some students had known about but failed to report. Since embracing this open relationship with the students, Achoko has seen improvements in both student performance and overall school morale.
Alex Maina Kariuki
Alex Maina Kariuki, the principal of Friends School Kamusinga, is another example. His decision to wear the school uniform was met with resistance when he first arrived at the school, to the point where local MCAs once forcibly removed him from his office. However, Maina does not find this practice unusual and views it as a way to break down barriers and create a sense of approachability. Before his tenure at Kamusinga, he had a similar practice of wearing the uniform at his previous school, Ololaiser High School, particularly on Mondays and Fridays. For Maina, wearing the school uniform is a means of connecting with students on their level.
Fred Mogaka
Fred Mogaka, the principal of Kisii High School, is widely recognized for improving the relationship between students and staff, as well as for his efforts in combatting illegal drug use on campus. Mogaka also honors top-performing students with rewards and takes them to a four-star hotel for a principal’s dinner. He began wearing the school uniform while serving as deputy principal at Riokindo Boys, using it both as a tool to build rapport with students and to gain insight into what was happening within the school. Even after his transfer to Kisii High School, he continued this practice. Mogaka maintains that wearing the school uniform has helped avoid strikes during his tenure, as students feel more connected to him and less inclined toward protests.
These principals demonstrate how wearing the school uniform can be a strategic choice for building rapport, addressing student concerns, and fostering a more positive school environment.
