There was drama on Friday evening when students from Nyakeore Secondary School in Nyamira County marched to the county headquarters protesting the transfer of their principal.
The learners said they did not want their principal, Ken Kerage, moved, calling the decision political. They were later joined by some parents who accused the area MP, Steve Mogaka, of influencing the transfer “for his own selfish reasons.”
The students walked out of the school compound, carrying placards and chanting slogans as they demanded the Ministry of Education cancel the transfer.
Witnesses reported that the protest started soon after news of the transfer spread, sparking anger among students who praised Kerage for what they termed “transformative leadership.”
Police were deployed to the area to stop possible destruction as the learners camped outside the county administration offices seeking an audience with officials.
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Local residents have long accused the MP of trying to interfere in school affairs, though he denies the allegations. County administrators called for calm, saying, “This is the third term when students are supposed to sit for exams. We urge calm to solve it and prepare for the coming examination.”
The Nyakeore protest comes amid a wave of unrest in several schools across the country.
In Machakos County, classes at Masii Boys High School in Mwala were disrupted earlier in the week after some students allegedly tried to burn a dormitory on three occasions. As a result, the school sent home learners in Forms Two, Three and Four while investigations continue.
Mwala Deputy County Commissioner David Tegutwa confirmed the incident, saying the students had demanded an unscheduled “half term.” He questioned the motive, noting the unrest had erupted barely three weeks into the term.
In Makueni County, a dormitory at Mbooni Boys High School was razed on Friday, raising more concerns about rising indiscipline.
Education officials say they will carry out investigations and provide direction in each case, as pressure grows for dialogue among parents, teachers and learners to stop the unrest.
By Saturday, the Ministry of Education had not released a statement on the Nyakeore incident, though senior officials had been dispatched to the school to handle the matter.
By Joseph Mambili
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