Student riots in Meru County have led to the closing of nine secondary schools following week-long protests that burnt down three dormitories and other facilities. Some of the affected schools include Burieruri Boys’, Ntunene Girls’, Miathene Boys’, Abothuguchi Boys’, and also Nturuba and Kiangua Secondary. In the neighboring Tharaka Nithi County, similar riots have been witnessed in at least three schools.
According to the county commissioner, Jacob Ouma, the unrest is over exam anxiety and local opposition to the transfer of headteachers. In the last one week, several schools have been closed after students went on the rampage. Security committees in various sub-counties recommended closure of the schools to avert further loss of property,” Ouma said. The quality of food was also mentioned by him as another trigger for the riots.
The security agencies responded by investigating the incidents of arson and vandalism, and anybody found culpable was to be taken for appropriate action. Those inciting students to riot will also not be spared as no person will be allowed to cause chaos in any educational institution for selfish interest.
In Tharaka Nithi County, County Commissioner David Gitonga met stakeholders to discuss the increasing cases of student unrest. He suggested that social media could have been used in inciting students. According to the chairman of Kessha in Tharaka Nithi, Kenneth Muthomi, preventive measures were called for due to huge losses incurred. The County Director of Education, Bridget Wambua, asked school heads to work harder in terms of counseling and dialogue with the students in order to prevent the rise of other riots.
A leadership row in Isiolo County escalated after the board of management, led by chair Mohammed Boru, barricaded the principal’s office to lock out the installation of a new school head. This was contrary to an agreement by the TSC to allow the new deputy to act as the principal, said Boru. The board opposed the posting of the new principal, citing concerns over performance and demographic representation.