Mama Ngina Girls High School has relocated to Shanzu, North Coast, from upmarket Kizingo in a Sh200 million project.
The national school will now occupy a 20-acre land opposite Shimo La Tewa Secondary, which is the only other national school in Mombasa County.
Parents and teachers have over the years complained that Mama Ngina, which occupied one acre, lacked space for expansion and that this affected enrollment.
On Thursday, Senior Principal Mwanahamisi Omar said the school could now accommodate more than 2,000 students. The old buildings at Kizingo could accommodate 1,055 students.
Ms Omar said congestion at the school was a thing of the past as the school has adequate classrooms, dormitories, a dining hall and a playing field.
She said the school has enrolled over 300 Form Ones who will be reporting on Monday.
"We are all excited to be here. Every class has five streams, that will deal with the issue of over-enrollment. We have 20 classroom labs, a dorm carrying over 1,000, and a dining hall that can accommodate 2,000 students," said Omar.
She said the school security is okay with a perimeter wall erected across the compound. However the neighbouring Shimo La Tewa Boy is not fenced, and its infrastructure is dilapidated.
Shimo La Tewa Boys donated the 20 acres to Mama Ngina Girls, sparking controversies. Some members of Shimo La Tewa Old Boys Association moved to court to question the deal.
Shimo La Tewa Old Boys Association chairman Ibrahim Khamis said they were addressing the issue of dilapidated infrastructure at Shimo La Tewa Boys.
Khamis said they would also get professionals to mentor the boys to enable the institution reclaim its lost glory.
"The mighty Shimo is improving but we want issues of the software and hardware to be addressed. We want the support of the community, county and national government to address the problem of congestion," he said.
In the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education KCSE announced last Monday, Mama Ngina posted impressive results with the first girl, Sharon Wambui, scoring an A.
Esther Muturi, a Form Four student, said she was excited about the relocation since the new school has ample space and better facilities.
"With a vast space and conducive environment, we will be able to concentrate and post good results," said Muturi.
The school's PA chairman Hussein Juma said with the ample space, the school will be able to participate in co-curricular activities.
