Consulting editor at the Nation David Aduda writes that the entry of the Ismaili community and principally His Highness the Aga Khan [IV] changed the trajectory of education in East Africa and the rest of the continent. Upon ascending as the Imam of the Ismaili Muslims in 1957, His Highness the Aga Khan undertook to promote education in Africa and other parts of the world as a tool for social transformation and realisation of civil liberties. His vision for education converged with that of the Africans fighting for political liberation from the colonial domination, and whose focus, among others, was to equip Africans with cognitive skills and other competencies to enable them to participate in governance and decision-making and take charge of their destiny. For their part, Africans protested the poor quality of education offered to their children and this sparked a movement for the establishment of Afro-centric schools, which led to establishment of the K-schools – the present day Kakamega, Kagumo, Kisii and Kangaru schools.