Ngong OCS announces 10pm night-time restriction for learners during school holiday

Parents and guardians in Ngong, Kajiado County, have been put on notice over their children's movements during the long school holiday.

Ngong Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Jacob Ndunda has directed school-going minors to remain indoors after 10pm, warning that those found outside risk detention.

Ndunda issued the directive during a public baraza on Thursday, October 22, calling on parents, local administrators and security officers to ensure children comply with the night-time restriction throughout the holiday period.

“When it hits 10pm, no child should be outside. Ensure you tell the children after you leave this place,” the OCS said.

He warned that students found outdoors beyond the stipulated time could be detained, urging young people to remain at home once the 10pm deadline passes.

“Beyond 10pm or 2200 hours, if you don't have a national ID, if you are a student, you should be inside,” he said.

The directive comes as learners begin their long end-of-year school holiday following the closure of the third term on October 23, 2026.

Schools are scheduled to reopen on Monday, January 4, 2027, leaving parents and guardians with the responsibility of supervising their children during the extended break.

Parents told to take responsibility

The police chief challenged parents to take a more active role in monitoring their children's whereabouts, particularly at night as families enter the festive season.

He questioned how parents could protect their children if they did not know where they were spending their evenings, warning that inadequate supervision could expose young people to danger.

“We have already been told that we have entered the festive season. If you don't know where your child is and it's past 10pm, what do you expect that child would be doing out there?” he posed.

Ndunda also urged residents attending the meeting to support the directive and communicate it to their children, saying their agreement would form part of the public participation process.

“Let us agree right here, right now, because this is now public participation. What we agree here is what will be done so that you don't say later that we should forgive them,” he said.

He called on local administrators and security officers to ensure the directive is implemented, stressing that parents should not wait until their children encounter trouble before taking responsibility for their movements.

However, the legal basis for detaining children solely for being outdoors after 10pm was not specified in the reported remarks.

Warning to criminals

Beyond the restriction on minors, Ndunda issued a stern warning to criminals operating within his jurisdiction, declaring that lawbreakers would face firm action.

“We are not forgiving criminals,” he emphasised.

His remarks come as families prepare for the festive season, a period when children spend more time away from the structured routines and supervision provided by schools.

For working parents, the extended break can present challenges in monitoring children's activities, especially where alternative childcare arrangements are limited.

The absence of regular school schedules may also leave some learners vulnerable to negative peer influence, substance abuse, criminal activity and exploitation, particularly when they lack adequate adult guidance.

Education stakeholders, local administrators and religious leaders have repeatedly urged parents to use school holidays to strengthen family relationships, guide their children and encourage responsible behaviour.

Calls for closer supervision

As the festive season gets underway, parents and guardians are being encouraged to remain aware of their children's whereabouts and how they spend their free time.

Families have also been urged to protect children from risks including drug abuse, early pregnancies, crime and online exploitation.

Ndunda's directive places responsibility for implementing the night-time restriction on local security officers and administrators while calling on parents to ensure their children comply throughout the school break.