Several learning institutions have urged their learners to stay at home on Monday, July 7, over concerns of the mooted Saba Saba protests.
Kenyans.co.ke has established that at least 20 schools have sent a communique to parents, urging them to allow their children to stay at home as a precautionary measure.
One communique from a renowned private school read, "To ensure that learning continues uninterrupted, our teachers will prepare adequate academic work for your child, aligned to their regular timetable. This work is aimed at reinforcing key concepts and helping the students prepare for the upcoming End of Term Examinations."
Another one read, "This closure is due to the prevailing uncertainties surrounding the day, particularly with respect to safety concerns. It is purely a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone."
Most of the school communications indicate that students are encouraged to return to their regular activities starting on Tuesday, July 8.
Notably, several of the schools that urged learners to stay at home on Monday either hailed from residential areas along Thika Road or had their school buses that ply that route.
During the last wave of protests, on June 25, Thika Road was a hotspot, with hundreds of rowdy youths blocking the key highway for hours using stones and bonfires.
A parent, who spoke to Kenyans.co.ke, further revealed that while some schools had not issued any communication, many parents were considering leaving their children at home as a precautionary measure.
"Usually, when the protests are there, they release them early from school. But I could choose to keep mine at home tomorrow. We'll see," the parent revealed.
Saba Saba Day is observed on July 7 of each year in Kenya and is remembered as the day when Kenyans took to the streets to demand free elections and the approval of multiparty democracy in Kenya.
While there have been mixed feelings about this year's Saba Saba commemoration, several leaders have come out to urge peace from protestors, while authorities have been urged to exercise restraint.
As far as whether July 7 was a holiday, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku on Sunday directed all public servants to report to work on Monday.
Speaking in Embu County during a church service attended by President William Ruto, Ruku warned that the government would take stern action against any civil servant who fails to report for duty on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Association of County Students Associations Presidents—Kenya (ACSAPK) has urged President William Ruto to convene a national dialogue with the youth to address their challenges.
