Allidina Visram High School
In the heart of Mombasa, along Abdel Nasser Road stands Allidina Visram High School. The school is a veritable history lesson in its sentinel position in a two-story building on three and a half acres of land overlooking the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean.
In 1923, a Kenyan-born Indian, Sheth Abdul Rasul, established the coastal school, but the school’s name and history go way back to 1851. Yes… that far back, which begs the question, what’s the story behind Allidina Visram?
Hadithi Hadithi?
Hadithi Njoo!
In 1851, in a small village in India, Allidina Visram was born. Conscious of the world around him by the time he was 12, Allidina yearned for a better life. Intrepid at heart, he boarded a dhow headed for the East African shores and after a few weeks arrived in Zanzibar. Within a few years, the young man had grown to become a successful merchant whose caravans transported goods up and down the region reaching as far as the kingdoms of the Baganda and Nubia. Although it isn’t noted when or where he settled in the territory that would one day be Kenya, the merchant was familiar with the trade routes that crisscrossed the land and in time expanded his business, becoming the owner of several plantations of rubber, sugar cane and cotton, creating employment for over 3,000 laborers. As life would have it, Allidina in time had a son – Sheth Abdul Rasul. The young boy watched his father and from him, Rasul was inspired; so inspired that later after Allidina’s death, Rasul honoured him by building a learning institution in memory of his father.
When the construction of the school began, no expense was spared. An architect was brought from India to design the school building and all the materials used in construction – from the gray stone and steel used in building to the teak used to construct the stairway – were imported from India. However, difficulties arose during the onset of construction.
The site on which Allidina Visram High School’s construction took place was previously a cemetery for Indian Muslims. During construction, the building’s walls collapsed several times, and workers took that to be a sign that the spirits of the dead were angry that their resting place was being excavated. After consultation with the Mzimu (the Swahili custodian of spirits), an offering was given to placate the spirits and construction continued without further hindrances.
On 2nd January 1923, the school opened its doors to its first students. Allidina Visram High School was built to accommodate 500 students and in its first month, the total student enrollment was 331. At this time, however, the school only admitted Indian students. Its intricate architecture no doubt in honour of the adventurous young man who crossed an ocean is a reminder that our modern day Kenyan heritage has roots across the ocean.
Since the schools’ earliest days, each year the names of top matriculates would be carefully stenciled on beautiful wooden boards, in effect becoming an inspiration to thousands of students who aimed for similar educational heights as they studied in the school. With the advent of independence, racial integration in the high school finally happened in the sixties. In 1965, the school employed its first African faculty member, and in 1970, the first African headmaster was appointed. Most recently, in 1997, Allidina Visram High School was gazetted as a national monument under the Monuments and Antiquities Act.
Allidina Visram’s legacy that crisscrossed the region continues to live on. He is remembered for his ingenuity and his generosity and nearly a century later, this school of heritage continues to provide an exemplary education to many young people from the trade routes that built the name of the man that adorns the gates they pass through each day.
13 Comments
I was a student at Allidina Visram High School when its first African Headteacher was placed in the top job. Mr Robert Ouko. I still remember him very much, a fair but kind disciplinarian, who was open to constructive ideas from the pupils under his care. Do others remember him, I wonder?
He must have been an amazing role model for you and other students, such positive influences are very memorable. Thank you for sharing a bit about your time at Allidina Visram High School.
I was also at Allidina for ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels, 1972-1977. I fondly remember, the headmaster, Mr. Okwiya, may he rest in peace. His tenure was very productive and several students excelled in their studies. Under his leadership and talented teachers, Allidina also excelled in sports, Boy Scouts (1st Mombasa Scout Troop), Debating Society, St John’s Ambulance Association and the Presidents Awards Scheme. Wish all the current and future students and staff the best in their endeavours.
Hi Salim
I was at Allidina from 1971 to 1976.
Hello Mirzaffer,
Hope all is well.
It is a pleasure reacquainting with you. I am sorry, I do not recall, as much as I should about, Allidinians who were not in the same years as I was.
You may recall my cousin, Zaheer Kassim, who was a year ahead of me for ‘A” levels (1975-1976).
I am presently in California and I know of a couple of Allidinans who reside in Florida.
Have you been in touch with any other Allidinians?
Please drop me a line at salim.ahmed90266@gmail.com
Regards,
Salim
My name is Jay Patel and was at this great school from 1968 to 1973..I remember the headmaster Mr Okwiya who gave me an honest leaving testimonial which I still treasure. Not been in contact with Any one from my era but would love to
A very memorable period for me during my time there: 1980-1983
Hi. My name is Atul Shah. I’m a Kenyan-Canadian born and bred in Nairobi (Jamhuri High School) but currently living in Canada.
My uncle, Uttamchand Govindji Shah, attended Allidina in the 1930s and matriculated in 1938 or 1939 (I think he’s the O. G. Shah in the list of graduates in 1939 as he might have spelt his first name with an O rather than a U). He was born in Mombasa in 1923 and was very fond of his days at Allidina. Unfortunately, he passed away last year at the age of 97. I wondering if you could send me the name and contact details of the current headmaster – I would like to learn more about my uncle’s days at the school.
Thank you.
Hello Atul, we are very sorry for your loss. If you need information about Allidina’s alumni, please contact the school directly as we are are unable to assist with that. We hope you find the info you are looking for.
Thanks. I’ve contacted the school several times via email to no avail. I was hoping to get the headmaster’s (Juma Mshimu) mobile/WhatsApp number so I can contact him directly.
Our class (form 5-6) in 1975-6 was next to the principal’s office. I remember Mr Okwiya came into classroom swinging the broomstick as we had been making too much noise.
Thanks for sharing your memories of this historic school with us!
Allidina Visram used to be amongst the top 10 schools in Kenya with Mama Ngina Girls. I don’t know what happened to this great school. Something is wrong.