School heads in Kiambu County have been warned of dire consequences if they allow students to get out of school and block the presidential motorcade in future like they did when the president visited the area last.
In a circular dated February 21, 2024 addressed to all primary and secondary school heads, Kiambu County Director of Education (CDE) Simon Wanjohi told the school heads that they will be held accountable for any breach if it is repeated.
“From now henceforth, you will be held individually liable for any breach and even criminal charges be preferred in case of compelling evidence for offence of blocking presidential motorcade and endangering safety of learners,” said Wanjohi in the circular.
Wanjohi observed that during the recent tour by President William Ruto in the county, students from some schools blocked the presidential motorcade which was enroute to a venue of a function, adding that the students were intentionally mobilized by teachers for reasons known to them.
He also stated that students from one of the schools lined up along a route the president was using, waving placards which were intended to seek favours despite earlier caution that they should not do so.
According to him, some school buses ferrying civilians to the venue were also intercepted by police, even as some students in school uniform were spotted in the gathering without any invitation or authority.
“The activities portray deviation from established norms; principals and head teachers defying valid instructions, including deviant behaviour in children and promoting extortion and also breaking the law,” he added.
Wanjohi has now directed that in case of necessity to use school buses, an authority must be sought from the CDE’s office and if learners have to attend a presidential function, there must be an official invitation.
He further said that any money donated by the president to a school must be subjected to official government accounting procedures.
Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua were recently on an extensive 3-day development tour of the Mount Kenya region with the duo traversing Kiambu, Murang’a, Kirinyaga and Nyeri counties.
By Education News reporter
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