Butere Girls High School: Rachel Ruto and Other Notable Kenyans Who Studied at the National School

Butere Girls High School: Rachel Ruto and Other Notable Kenyans Who Studied at the National School.

Butere Girls High School, located in Butere Sub-County, Kakamega County, is one of the oldest institutions in Kenya’s Western region. The school has consistently produced remarkable figures who have significantly impacted their respective fields.

Among the notable alumni are First Lady Rachel Ruto, the late Orie Rogo Manduli, and former Wiper party presidential running mate, Prof. Julia Ojiambo. All three attended Butere Girls High School, a school that has a reputation for nurturing influential leaders and professionals. Ruto completed her O and A levels at this prestigious institution.

Renowned Legal Minds

Lady Justice Joyce Aluoch, a distinguished former student, is known for her exceptional rise from a district magistrate to becoming the first Kenyan judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC). She also made history as the first Vice President of the Hague-based Court, marking a significant milestone in her career.

Lady Justice Effie Owuor also stands as a trailblazer in the legal field. As Kenya’s first female High Court judge and the first woman to serve as a judge at the Court of Appeal, Owuor’s career spans over three decades. Her contributions to the judiciary have been pivotal in shaping Kenya’s legal landscape.

Pioneering Academics

Prof. Florida Karani, an alumnus of Butere Girls, began her teaching career at the University of Nairobi in 1969. Her journey saw her rise to the role of deputy vice-chancellor, a position she held for ten years. In 1996, Karani became a full professor and was later appointed Chancellor of Maseno University by the late President Mwai Kibaki, becoming the first female Chancellor of a public university in Kenya.

Financial and Educational Leadership

Mary Okello, another alumnus, made history in 1977 as Kenya’s first female bank manager. Beyond her role in banking, Okello founded Makini Schools, further cementing her legacy as a leader in education.

Prof. Julia Ojiambo, celebrated for her trailblazing achievements, became the first woman appointed as an Assistant Minister for Housing and Social Services. She also made history as the first African woman to lecture at the University of Nairobi and the first Kenyan woman to attend Harvard University. In 1974, Ojiambo broke barriers as the first female Member of Parliament from Western Province, representing the Funyula Constituency.

Government and Education Influence

Elizabeth Masiga, who attended Butere Girls, made history as the first woman Permanent Secretary in Kenya’s Ministry of Education. She also became the first woman chief inspector of schools in the country, shaping the education sector with her leadership.

Political Leadership

Naomi Shaban, a former Taita Taveta Member of Parliament, had a distinguished 20-year tenure in Parliament. Initially trained in dentistry, Shaban switched careers in 2002 and successfully contested the Taita Taveta seat under the KANU ticket. Her political journey continued until she was succeeded by Bwire Akano of the Wiper Party in the August 9, 2025, elections.

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Historical Beginnings

Founded in 1916 by missionary Jane Chadwick, Butere Girls High School was initially established to provide basic literacy and religious education. Over the years, the school grew in stature, achieving second place in national rankings by 1957, just behind Alliance Girls High School. This long history has contributed to the development of an institution that continues to shape the leaders of tomorrow.

Butere Girls High School: Rachel Ruto and Other Notable Kenyans Who Studied at the National School.

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