Former Road Minister Franklin Bett has called on the government to form an independent body to investigate the recent strike at Litein Boys High School, which has caused massive destruction and losses.
The strike occurred on Sunday when students went on a rampage to demonstrate over what has been termed a denial to watch a football match.
At one point, their efforts to gain access to the neighbouring AIC Litein Girls School were thwarted by police officers, teachers, and local residents, preventing further damage.
Speaking on the incident at visiting the school on Monday, Bett criticized the ongoing blame game surrounding the strike, saying it distracts from valuing the property and considering the interests of parents. “Instead of focusing on restoring what has been lost, people are busy pointing fingers,” he said.
Bett emphasized that the root cause of the problems must be identified and addressed; noting that this is the second time the institution has gone on strike this year. “Without understanding why these strikes keep happening, any solution will be temporary,” he said.
He urged school administrators, teachers, and education stakeholders to engage the students and address underlying grievances to prevent recurrence.
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He also revealed that one of the buildings affected by the strike had been constructed under an economic stimulus project during President Mwai Kibaki’s government, at a cost of ksh18 million.
Bett also warned that such destruction undermines years of investment in the school and threatens the quality of education for the students.
The former Minister drew a stark comparison, likening the devastation at Litein Boys to the destruction seen in Gaza, highlighting the scale and intensity of the damage.
He said urgent action is needed to repair the facilities and hold those responsible accountable.
Parents and education stakeholders have expressed deep concern over the disruption, noting that repeated strikes affect academic performance and tarnish the school’s reputation.
Some parents said they fear the children’s behavior could escalate if the underlying issues are not properly addressed.
Bett’s call comes at a time when school management, local leaders, and the police are under pressure to restore order and ensure a safe learning environment.
The former minister urged all parties to act responsibly and focus on the welfare of the students, stressing that education is too important to be jeopardized by repeated unrest.
By our reporter
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