Litein Boys’ High School in Kericho County has been closed for a second time in just over a week, only hours after reopening on Tuesday morning.
The closure came after students reportedly showed signs of preparing for another strike, largely over the continued presence of the principal whose removal they had earlier demanded. Parents who had accompanied their children back to school were left frustrated, saying little progress had been made since the violent unrest on September 21.
“We came here at around 8 a.m., and I’m distraught over how things are,” one parent said. “All the classes and everything is destroyed. We are urging the government to help us.”
Another worried about the fate of candidates preparing for their final examinations: “We have Form Four students. Where will they go? Where will they sit for the exams?”
The school’s board and parents also clashed over the extent of the damage caused by the unrest and the amount parents were being asked to contribute toward repairs. Some parents openly faulted the principal, urging him to step aside to restore calm.
“Now the school is closed again and we are going home, but we don’t know when we will reopen,” one parent lamented.
The September 21 riot left parts of the institution destroyed, with losses running into millions of shillings. The chaos was reportedly sparked after students were denied permission to watch the English Premier League clash between Arsenal and Manchester City.
As investigations continue, uncertainty hangs over the fate of Litein Boys’ High School particularly for the Form Four candidates whose exams are fast approaching.
