Taita schools earn top honours at National Amani Debates

By Aaron Muthomi/Mountain Journal

editor@themountainjournal.co.ke

Taita schools have made a commanding mark at the 6th National Amani Debate Competition, held at Alliance High School, with two teams clinching top national honours and earning their place at the East African stage.

Murray Girls High School Amani Club took the crown in the English Secondary School Debate category, lifting the county’s profile nationally with an outstanding performance.

In the Kiswahili Mjadala category, St Mary’s High School, Taita, also impressed, securing their spot to represent Kenya at the East African level.

The competition brought together schools from across Kenya, featuring categories in English Debate, Mjadala, French, and Junior Secondary English Debate. Other standout schools included Mang’u High, Homabay High, Tetu Girls, Thika Garrison, Maseno School, and Emusire Boys.

Special recognition was given to debate patrons for their dedication in training and mentoring students to excel at this level.

The Amani Clubs initiative, started by the Ministry of Education in partnership with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), aims to promote appreciation of diversity, peaceful co-existence, and constructive dispute resolution in schools. The NCIC has worked closely with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the Ministry of Education, and Amani club representatives to implement peace-building measures in schools to reduce incidents of student conflict.

Charles Mwanjala, Chairperson of Taita Schools Amani and patron at Kenyatta High School, expressed gratitude to all participating school administrations:

“Our focus now is to promote peace as we near International Peace Day – 21 September 2025, themed End Racism, Build Peace. We wish the top teams well as they prepare to represent us at the East African level. Let peace reign in our schools and in our country at large.”

The East African stage is expected to gather some of the region’s most gifted young debaters, creating a platform for peace, dialogue, and mutual understanding across borders.