Mr. Harold Arthur Waterloo Chapman, a graduate of University of Oxford, was made the school principal in August 1931 before its completion and commissioning.

He served as the school principal until 1955 when he retired.

A hostel on the SOWETO side of the boarding section was named after him, and is one of the most popular hostels housing both junior and senior students.

Kakamega school is currently categorized by the Ministry of Education as a national school and admits students from across Kenya.

However, even before its elevation to a national school, the school would enrol students from every part of the country based on its popularity.