Yesterday, a few members of the Lavington Primary School Class of 1988 met at Scapes restaurant, a beautiful rooftop restaurant of Lavington Residences by @Trianum. It came highly recommended by Mutheu Muna Mwaniki. Organized through the 1988 Class of Lavington Primary School WhatsApp group, seven classmates managed to attend — but it truly felt like the whole class was present, thanks in no small part to the phenomenal memory of Arnold Omondi, aka Noldo. We had a deeply enriching time retracing the journey from Lavington Primary School to where each of us is today.
The 80s – Where It All Began
We revisited the education system that shaped us between 1981 and 1988.
• Yellow House dominance at the swimming galas — Polly Okello and I still stand by that legacy. My sisters Emilly Kigondu & Rachael Wachira continued with that legacy. • The innocence of Standard 8, when we witnessed our first real-life encounter with menstruation — and how our teachers handled it with dignity, quietly preventing what today would be called period-shaming.
• The 1988 streaming system — North (1–40), South (41–80), East (81–120)—sparked a lively debate:
• Did it allow tailored learning?
• Or did it unintentionally discourage those labeled “weaker”?
• Some in the middle stream proved the system wrong by outperforming the “top” class.
It was a reminder that education systems matter— not just in structure, but in how they shape confidence, aspiration, and identity.
Moments That Defined Us
We laughed over memories that only classmates can truly appreciate:
• The cycling antics of Sagini & William Otieno
• Playing at the now-famous Karen Hospital cardiologist, Dr. Gikonyo’s residence along Mageta Road (with his son, our classmate, Dr. Anthony Gikonyo)
• The Armed Forces truck that brought Gideon Khamala and other officers’ children late— almost guaranteeing a caning from Deputy Headmistress Mrs. Nzioki if you arrived at the same time
• Iron Lady Headmistress, Mrs. Mutinda’s assembly—where lateness was not an option
We remembered:
• 100m races featuring Noldo, Andrew Githaiga, Julian Bukenya, and Alex Kies
• Swimming in the green froggy waters of Rowland Camp before transitioning to YMCA Central —thanks to my dad Mr. A.G. Kigondu
• Mutheu Muna’s refusal to swim at Rowland Camp’s green swimming pool, after discovering clear water at YWCA
There were:
• Double trips to Tsavo National Park (captured on my father’s Nikon camera)
• Fights in the infamous “secret field”—including some involving the ladies
• Stories of bullying — but also resilience
Lessons We Only Understood Later
Andrew Mwaniki shared how struggling with mathematics turned out to be a vision problem — solved by spectacles.
He also spoke about identifying a classmate with dyslexia and helping him navigate life — today, a testament to what empathy and awareness can achieve.
We reflected on loss—remembering Michael Marangu (may his soul rest in peace) and two others we have lost along the way.
A Simpler but Stronger System
Our school fees? KES 173.
Education in the 80s was inclusive—children from different backgrounds learning together, forming bonds that have lasted over 40 years.
We spent hours outdoors—playing, interacting, building friendships.
Today’s Gen Z interactions made us reflect on how much has changed.
Public Systems That Enabled Opportunity
One striking realization: functional public systems shaped our lives.
I travelled daily from California to Lavington Primary — because the public transport system worked.
• Bus numbers 48, 49, and 50 ran on schedule
• If you missed one, you had a clear fallback —take 46 to Valley Arcade and walk 15 minutes
• Planning your day depended on reliable public transport —and it worked
That level of predictability and accessibility made education reachable.
Today, it raises a critical question:
Can our current systems offer the same reliability to the next generation?
We have a chaotic, non predictable public transport system and a less than ideal eduxation system.
Parents, Vision, and Opportunity
Many classmates attended Lavington because it was the nearest school.
For me, it was different.
My dad, Mr. A.G. Kigondu had seen the value of structured “European” education systems and ensured his children accessed schools that despite being City Council schools, had a previous European heritage — even if it meant daily travel across the city.
When I eventually moved to Lavington in 2010, it was a proud full-circle moment for my dad.
Life, Growth, and Perspective
We spoke about our children — now adults, university students, or in secondary school.
A candid reflection emerged:
Stepping away — especially abroad — can sometimes mean returning to find your peers have moved ahead socially, building families and careers while you must restart.
Friendships That Endure
Despite being spread across the world, this class has maintained remarkable cohesion — strengthened by platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook.
We laughed about who liked who back then —some confessions coming decades late — and agreed to meet again later in the year, hopefully bringing in even more classmates (the “summer bunnies” included).
Teachers
We appreciated our teachers and took a moment to remember Mrs Ikindu, who had passed on that morning. May the Lord bring peace to that homeZ.
Legacy and Responsibility
When we asked ourselves what legacy we want to leave, the answers converged:
• Love
• A just society
• Generational wealth
• A better Kenya
Final Reflection
The Class of 1988 is a testament to what happens when the right ingredients come together:
• Good schools
• Functional public systems
• Strong friendships
These are not luxuries — they are the foundations of a thriving society.
Have you reconnected with your alumni?
If not, do it.
Beyond nostalgia, you will find:
• Networks
• Shared history
• Perspective
• And stories that remind you who you are
To lifelong friendships, shared journeys, and the systems that shaped us — cheers.
Dr Simon Kigondu is a gynaecologist and alumnus of Lavington Primary School.