Our Founders

Dr. Geoffrey William Griffin was born on June 13, 1933, in Eldoret, Kenya, to English parents—his father, an English police officer who had served in Kenya since 1919, and his mother, born in India. He received his early education at Kitale Primary School and later attended the Prince of Wales School (now Nairobi School) from 1945 to 1950.

After completing his schooling, Griffin joined the Survey of Kenya as a cadet. With the declaration of the State of Emergency in 1952 during the Mau Mau uprising, he underwent training with the Kenya Regiment and served in the Special Police Reserve. He was subsequently commissioned into the 3rd Battalion of the King’s African Rifles (3 KAR). However, disillusioned by the brutality of the conflict and sympathetic to the Mau Mau cause, Griffin chose not to renew his commission.

Transitioning from military service, Griffin dedicated himself to the rehabilitation of those affected by the uprising. He took charge of the juvenile section at Manyani Detention Camp, a facility known for its harsh conditions, where minors under the age of 16 were detained. Recognizing the need for a more supportive environment, Griffin advocated for the relocation of these youths to Wamumu Rehabilitation Camp. Under his leadership, Wamumu evolved from a high-security detention center into an institution resembling a school, focusing on the rehabilitation and education of former fighters and war orphans.

In 1959, driven by a vision to provide care and education to destitute and orphaned boys, Griffin, alongside Geoffrey Gatama Geturo and Joseph Kamiru Gikubu, co-founded the Starehe Boys’ Centre and School in Nairobi. The institution began modestly, with two huts donated by the Shell-BP Petroleum Company serving as dormitories for the initial intake of boys from the streets. The name “Starehe,” meaning “tranquility” or “comfort” in Swahili, reflected the founders’ aspiration to create a sanctuary for vulnerable youth. Under Griffin’s steadfast leadership, Starehe transitioned from a rescue center into a renowned educational institution, offering free education to many orphaned and impoverished children, while also admitting fee-paying students to subsidize the free places.

Beyond Starehe, Griffin played a pivotal role in national youth development. He was the founding director of Kenya’s National Youth Service (NYS) from 1964 to 1988, an organization aimed at empowering young Kenyans through vocational training and community service.

Throughout his career, Griffin received numerous accolades recognizing his contributions to education and national development. These honors included the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) in 1970, the Moran of the Order of the Golden Heart (MGH) in 1986, and an appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2002. In 2005, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Geoffrey Griffin passed away on June 28, 2005, at the Nairobi Hospital after a battle with colon cancer. His enduring legacy is evident in the thousands of lives transformed through the Starehe Boys’ Centre and School, which continues to stand as a testament to his unwavering commitment to the education and welfare of Kenya’s youth.