St. Patrick’s Iten Boys High School in Elgeyo Marakwet County has been closed indefinitely after students staged a violent protest, leading to the destruction of school property.
The unrest broke out as students reportedly opposed sitting this term’s examinations, prompting the administration to send all learners home as a precautionary measure.
Keiyo North Sub-County Director of Education, Alice Sitienei, confirmed the incident, stating that the students went on a rampage, damaging property within the school compound in protest against the scheduled exams.
Reports also indicate that the principal faced accusations from students and other stakeholders over an alleged failure to uphold academic performance standards, which they claimed had contributed to the school's poor results.
However, this publication could not independently verify these allegations.
Images obtained by Kenyans.co.ke showed damage to classrooms and other buildings at the school, located approximately 500 metres from Iten Township and 32 kilometres from Eldoret along the Iten-Kapsowar Road. The structures were badly vandalised after being pelted with stones by angry students during the protest.
St. Patrick’s Iten Boys High School, renowned for its outstanding academic performance and strong athletics tradition, has long been considered one of Kenya’s top national schools. The institution has produced numerous prominent figures, including Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
The developments come after learning was disrupted in several schools in Kenya over unrest that has been witnessed, including the torching of dormitories and classes.
On May 12 this year, Bukhalalire High School in Busia County was closed indefinitely following a dormitory fire that left at least six students nursing critical injuries.
Butula Sub-County Director of Education John Kemei ordered the indefinite closure of the institution to pave the way for investigations.
Last month, St. Mary’s Ukwala High School in Siaya County was also closed indefinitely after students went on the rampage over claims of poor quality of maize flour used to prepare ugali.
The students went on strike as they criticised the school's management over the failure to listen to their pleas.
The students broke classroom and office windows before staging a walkout to the nearby Ukwala centre to express their frustrations at the education offices.
