- The closure was ordered by Kikuyu Sub-County Education Director Jeremiah Kipaiyu after an investigative assessment established an administrative vacuum at the institution
- Kikuyu Sub-County Police Commander Joseph Ndege confirmed that the principal has been charged and that investigations remain ongoing
- Police have appealed to anyone with information relevant to the case to come forward and cooperate with investigators
PCEA Mai-a-Ihii Booth Boys High School in Kikuyu, Kiambu County, has been closed indefinitely following the arrest of its principal and the chairperson of its Board of Management (BOM) over allegations of sexually harassing and abusing students, as well as attempts to interfere with investigations into the matter.
The closure was ordered by Kikuyu Sub-County Education Director Jeremiah Kipaiyu after an investigative assessment established an administrative vacuum at the institution following the arrests, alongside concerns that the situation could compromise the safety, welfare and well-being of learners. Kipaiyu directed that all students be released to their parents with immediate effect.
According to police and education officials, the allegations came to light after students reported that the alleged abuse had taken place within the principal’s office, triggering investigations by law enforcement officers and education authorities that culminated in the principal’s arrest and subsequent charging in court.
Kikuyu Sub-County Police Commander Joseph Ndege confirmed that the principal has been charged and that investigations remain ongoing, with detectives continuing to gather evidence and record statements from students, teachers and other witnesses.
In a related development, the school’s BOM chairperson was also arrested over allegations of attempting to obstruct justice by seeking to facilitate an out-of-court settlement. Police say investigations into these claims are continuing.
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The affected students have since received counselling and psychosocial support to help them cope with the trauma arising from the alleged incidents, with authorities saying safeguarding the learners and supporting their recovery remains a key priority.
The case has sparked concern among parents and education stakeholders, with some parents requesting that their children be transferred to other schools, arguing that a new learning environment would aid their emotional recovery and allow them to continue their studies away from the scene of the alleged abuse.
Education officials have assured parents that appropriate measures will be taken to protect the affected students and facilitate their continued learning as investigations proceed, while police have appealed to anyone with information relevant to the case to come forward and cooperate with investigators.
The principal and the BOM chairperson remain subjects of ongoing court proceedings and investigations as authorities work to establish the full extent of the allegations.
By Kithinji Njeru
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