The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print
operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a
leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
Mombasa Academy was founded as a primary school in Nyali by FJ Bentley, a pioneer of private education in Kenya in 1978.
The school targeted students from well-off backgrounds and boasted a half-size Olympic pool and a multi-purpose assembly hall.
Bentley fell ill and sold the school to Prem Prinja in 1986. Three years later, Prinja would add a secondary school section to what would now house a mixed-school, with a junior, preparatory and secondary sections offering the British curriculum.
The school has strict anti-bullying policy to protect students from harassment based on race, gender, religion or disability.
The school uniform varies depending on a learner’s gender and level, and ranges from navy blue, red, white to cream-coloured garb.
Notable alumni guided by the motto Scientia Pennae (on wings of knowledge), include Hamdan Bayusuf, a Rio Olympic Kenyan swimmer who in 2010 broke the long-standing record in the All Comers 200m backstroke set in 1967 by an Australian.
Susie Weeks, the executive officer of Mount Kenya Trust spiced her urembo with ear studs and wrist watches. Hasnain Meghji, the boss of Masumali Meghji Insurance Brokers and Waheeb Balala, the sales executive at Africa Tea & Coffee Company, brought packed lunch or bought it from the school canteen, as did Aidah Shapi, the artist, designer and founder of Shapi Inspires.
Other notable alumni who kept time to avoid being suspended — if they got late thrice — include Andrew Gikandi, the British American Tobacco regional manager; Katey Williams, the director of Katey Williams Production; Isabel Kimanga, the director of Cheeky Monkeys Entertainment; Nyandigisi Maoka, the wPOWER Hub administrative assistant; Kush Nathwani, Apex Steel Ltd’s director; Mikul Shah, an advisor to Safaricom Spark Venture Fund and founder of Eat Out Kenya; Tim Jessop, Rob’s Magic managing director; and Hebron Gift, the founder of Hebron Designs.
Baktash Akasha, who was accused of drug trafficking and deported to the USA, attended Mombasa Academy where he dropped out in primary school.
