Pioneers - Joel Ojal - Carey Francis was like a candle that burnt itself out, giving light at its own expense for the benefit of those around him. I first met Mr Francis in 1928 when I was only a child. He had a strange way of inspiring people. To children he was charming and had many ways of amusing them. His conjuring tricks were always a great attraction. But that was only one side of Carey. He believed that he could do all things through Christ, the source of his strength.

Carey was a very good footballer and joined the Maseno First Eleven. He was also a good boxer although he never once had to use his skill as a boxer to defend himself. He used Christ as a shield.

Carey was a teacher, an inspector of schools, a mathematician, a geographer, an economist, a linguist and even a musician. When there was no one to play the harmonium he did, although using only his right index finger! All Old Boys will remember him as a man with a wonderful memory. On the day of arrival of the new boys, he met them all, and the following day he would call any of them by name. Twenty years later he would still remember them. Their welfare was very much his concern once they had passed through his hands. All Old Boys will agree that Carey died the way he could have wished to die. He died teaching, at his desk and in the school. His body will lie at the place to which it belongs, the Alliance.

Foster - He came to Kenya as a missionary in 1928 a full CMS Missionary, a member of the Cambridge University Missionary Band with Rev. Dr Joe Church. Francis was appointed Headmaster of the Alliance High School in August 1940. He was appointed OBE in 1948 for his services to education in Kenya. He had been at Maseno and was the Principal there before moving to AHS.

Web - After graduating, in 1922 he became a fellow of Peterhouse, Cambridge and Director of Studies in Mathematics. He left Cambridge in 1928 when he joined the Church Missionary Society. He was posted to Kenya and became firstly a teacher and later Headmaster of Maseno School in Nyanza between 1928 and 1940. He then served as Headmaster at Alliance High School between 1940 and 1962. During his time at Alliance he developed a mythical-like reputation as an inspiring teacher, educating many future politicians. In later years, between 1962 and 1966 he was Assistant Master at Pumwani High School. In Jomo Kenyatta's first cabinet, nine out of the fifteen members had studied under Francis at Alliance.

Gazette 18 Aug 1966 probate