Eric Wandambusi returns to Highway as Principal after Nduati's departure

Eric Wandambusi has returned to Highway Secondary School in Nairobi, this time taking charge of the institution as its principal after previously serving as the school's deputy principal.

Wandambusi assumes leadership of the renowned boys' school following the departure of Chief Principal Patrick Irungu Nduati, whose six-year tenure was marked by significant academic, sporting and co-curricular achievements. Nduati officially handed over the leadership of Highway after being transferred by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to Katani Secondary School in Machakos County. He has since reported to his new station and taken over its administration.

His departure comes at a time when Highway has established itself as one of the country's leading institutions in school sports and talent development. Under Nduati, Highway won its maiden Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) national football title in 2024 and subsequently won the Europe Cup, earning an opportunity for a professional training programme in Romania.

The school also developed strong programmes in handball, basketball, tennis, table tennis, drama, music and film, winning the national handball title in 2025 and 2026, while its basketball team has reached the national final every year since 2024.

Academically, the institution also recorded notable growth during Nduati's tenure. Its mean grade increased from 4.8 in 2020 to 7.2 in 2026, while the number of learners securing direct university admission rose significantly. The school population also grew from about 700 to 1,200 students.

Nduati, a teacher of English and Literature, joined Highway after serving in several institutions, including Mang'u Boys High School, Nyeri Boys High School, Wahundura Senior School and Kangema High School. His transfer to Katani has also triggered a legal dispute, after he challenged the deployment, arguing that moving him from a Chief Principal position at Highway to a lower-category school amounted to a demotion.

The Employment and Labour Relations Court, however, declined to suspend the transfer, allowing the deployment to remain in force as the case proceeds.

With Wandambusi now taking over the reins, attention will turn to whether the former deputy principal can build on the foundation laid by Nduati while steering Highway through its next phase of academic and co-curricular growth.