Update: Mugoiri Girls High School in Murang'a county readmitted the Form One candidate whose mother broke down outside the school.
The school live-streamed the entire event on Facebook and the principal assured that the student, Hildah Anatwa, would not be victimised.
A mother who took her daughter for Form One admission at Mugoiri Girls High School in Murang’a County on Monday, August 2, was broke down in tears after the institution allegedly swapped the girl’s spot.
Rachel Amogola broke down and cried, lamenting that the school was biased and intentionally denied the daughter admission at the school.
She complained that they had travelled all the way from Western Kenya, spent her fortune purchasing learning materials and other necessities listed by the school which at last had offered the girl, Hildah Anatwa's, spot to another parent.
While kneeling, the visibly upset mother covered her eyes with her hands and cried hysterically while clutching admission documents and the girl's pink suitcase.
“George Magoha (Education CS), what has my daughter done to deserve such punishment. She passed her exam and you, Oh God, guided her through it. You selected this school for her and provided all that she needed. Give me strength My Lord!” Amogola prayed in the vernacular Luhya dialect, in between her sobs.
The mother complained that corruption had escalated in Kenya and even affected the education sector. What pained her most was that the residents are law-abiding and work hard only to be disparaged by the few who enjoyed certain privileges.
“I never miss tithing My God! I serve you in the church. Then why should you allow someone to mess with my daughter’s life? Fight for me!” she wailed as other parents and enrolling students watched sympathetically.
The aggrieved parent urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene on her behalf as the situation was so heartbreaking.
Her work, she stated, was to nurture and provide for her children as a loving parent. However, the alleged tribalism she faced was beyond her comprehension.
“I have never known such pain. Who chose my daughter to join a school in Murang’a. I am exhausted after walking and travelling this long-distance,” she lamented.
On Tuesday morning, August 3, the school issued a statement clarifying the issue.
"The lady sought for a Form One transfer to Wambasa Secondary in Siaya county. The details of her relative who requested her transfer are available in Nemis. The school has no mandate to retransfer the student.
"The parent came to school accompanied by the media and despite being advised by the principal to be patient, she contacted the ministry and went ahead to create drama," the statement read.
Form One students were admitted to different secondary schools on Monday, August 2, after sitting their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) in March this year.
