The Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) shielded 150 jobs after imposing tough terms in sale of Regis Runda Academy to South African multinational ADvTECH in September 2025.
As a precondition for the deal, the competition regulator ordered that all skilled and unskilled staff of Regis Runda, now rebranded to Makini School Runda, be retained on employment for at least 12 months after the completion of the transaction.
‘The acquirer, Makini School Limited, shall retain all one hundred and fifty (150) employees of the target comprising of one hundred and forty- five (145) skilled and five (5) unskilled, on terms that are no less favourable than their current terms of employment with the target for a period of at least twelve (12) months following completion of the transaction’ CAK said.
The proprietors of Regis Runda Academy -Peter Burugu and Mary Burugu- sold the school ADvTECH for Sh1.2 billion, marking one of the largest deals in Kenya’s private education market.
The deal marked an expansion in Kenya by ADvTECH, which first acquired a 71 percent stake in Makini Schools from an entrepreneur, Mary Okelo, for nearly Sh1 billion in 2018.
The buyout of Regis raised the number of schools the South African firm owns in the country to 10, including Crawford International, which is also being expanded in response to increased demand.
Following the buyout, Regis rebranded to operate under ADvTECH’s Makini brand.
‘ADvTECH, Africa’s leading private education provider, has expanded its Makini Schools offering in Nairobi, Kenya, by acquiring Regis Runda Academy for Sh1.23 billion (approximately 172 million Rands),’ the multinational said in a statement following the deal.
ADvTECH, which has schools in several countries, including Botswana and South Africa, plans to offer private education conforming to Kenya’s national curriculum and the Cambridge curriculum.
Regis Runda had been charging slightly higher fees than Makini schools located in Nairobi, offering the same Competency Based Curriculum.
The Burugus own various businesses, including Runda Gardens, a gated community, and Kiambu Mall.