The troubled Kemeloi Boys’ School in Nandi was temporarily closed for the third time in a month after students went on strike again.
Sunday night’s riots came a week after students returned to school.
Police arrested 13 students in connection with the latest incident and 800 Form One, Two and Three students were sent home.
On Sunday, students vandalized school property including classrooms, laboratory equipment and computers.Form four students ransacked the dormitory of the students of Form One, Form Two and Form Three accusing them of making noise hence disrupting their revision.
The incident led to a heated argument with other students who stood firm and fight back their seniors.
Nandi South police boss John Owuoth confirmed that 13 students were arrested for destroying school property. They will appear in court after the investigations are completed.
Some 13 students were arrested for attacking their colleagues during the latest strike on Sunday night. They destroyed property including computers , science laboratory equipment and newly installed CCTV,Owuoth said.A crisis meeting chaired by Aldai Member of Parliament Maryanne Kitany was held last week to resolve an earlier incident that saw school closed.
The meeting also called for a positive working relationship between the local community, teachers, education staff and the church, as well as a declaration that illegality and bullying will not be tolerated in Nandi schools.Frequent school strikes are blamed on local community agitations and some teachers who are said to be fighting with the principal. There are also disagreements about school tenders.
According to Nandi County Commissioner Herman Shamby, internal problems and political divisions from teachers’ union leaders and employers competing for tenders are to blame.
“Self-interested groups, including parents, are inciting students and fighting with the current head of the institution,” said Shambi, lamenting that students are losing valuable learning time.
County education director Zachary Mutuiri said schools will remain closed until all issues are resolved.Aggravation by Aldai residents is a challenge for Kemeloi Boys and the ministry is committed to addressing the problems facing the school,” he said.
In a recent crisis meeting, it was decided that the principal will continue to monitor changes aimed at improving the school’s academic performance in national tests. The local community was urged to avoid interfering with the school.
Shambi said the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is addressing the shortage of school teachers and has asked Form Four candidates to focus on their studies and avoid illegal activities.
