They had been trying to set up primary schools to provide basic education to Africans, but faced challenges due to a lack of funding.

He believed that Kenyans should be given access to primary, secondary and tertiary level education as a matter of right.

His efforts led to the Devonshire White Paper of 1923, which gave African colonial subjects the right to quality education.

Dr. Arthur realised the need to have new institutions set up, establishing a high school for Africans in Kikuyu.

It was ranked first in the country in 2005 based on the results of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).