First Daughter Charlene Ruto recently visited Ida Odinga to comfort her following Raila’s death and shared that they have one thing in common, their alma mater. Charlene Ruto at Moi Girls’ Eldoret. President William Ruto’s daughter shared numerous photos of the visit while acknowledging the warm reception she received. Charlene disclosed that she caught up with Mama Ida about their former high school, Moi Girls’ Eldoret. Which school did Ida Odinga attend? “We reflected on our days at Highlands School (Moi Girls’ Eldoret) and shared lighter moments about how we can continue supporting young women. My prayers remain with the Odinga family as they mourn the loss of their loved one,” Charlene wrote in part.
The institution was originally established in 1928 as the European Primary School and later renamed Highlands Primary School to serve European children living in Kenya’s highlands. During the 1930s, the school was relocated across the Sosiani River to the site now occupied by Hill School, along the Eldoret-Kapsabet Highway. Over time, it evolved into Highlands School, which was moved to Eldoret in 1965 and began admitting African students for the first time. In 1978, the school was renamed Moi Girls’ High School, Eldoret, in honour of former president Daniel arap Moi, who had served as its first African chair for decades. The school is considered one of the most prestigious in the region, guided by the motto: “Honour, Courage, Industry.” In 2023, Charlene visited the school, interacting with students and revisiting her old classrooms.
She shared photos from the dormitories, where worn walls highlighted the need for renovations, prompting Kenyans to call for improvements. Which prominent Kenyans attended Moi Girls’ Eldoret? Aside from Ida and Charlene, the school has produced other notable alumnae, including Phyllis Kandie, former Cabinet secretary for East African Affairs, and Margaret Kamar, a soil scientist and former Eldoret East MP. Nancy Baraza, a lawyer who briefly served as deputy chief justice, and Esther Murugi, a realtor and former Nyeri Town MP, also attended the institution. Over the decades, the school has remained a key institution in Eldoret, shaping leaders and professionals across Kenya.
By William Osoro
