A 17-year-old Form Four Student who was expelled from Bahati High School in Nakuru on allegations of displaying ‘demonic drawings’ was on Saturday invited by Villa Rosa Kempinski Hotel in Nairobi to display his work.
According to the hotel’s public communications office, Ian Njenga's story was touching considering that he was just an innocent amateur who unknowingly rallied the country towards appreciating art.
“We selected the boy because we wanted to give him a platform to nurture his talent and showcase his artwork. We value people with fresh ideas and want to expose them to a ready market. His exploits will be a stepping stone for other budding artists,” Mwingirwa Kithure, the hotel’s Public Relations Manager stated.
Njenga was among a group of seven artists invited to display their work during the second edition of Wasanii Jukwaani, Kempinski’s annual art exhibition, and auction programme.
The artist pieces were to convey a central theme highlighting the global chain’s 120 years’ anniversary.
Njenga displayed a charcoal on canvas painting with the theme, 'Vintage Transport' that was going for Sh50,000.
His piece depicted the old transport system comprising of the steam-powered, three-wheeled vehicles that were in vogue in the 1800s when the hotel chain opened its doors.
“I was in primary school when I noticed that I had a love for art. I would draw cartoons by the age of ten. It came naturally. I am happy that my parents encouraged me to cultivate this talent while pushing on with my education. It is great to be featured in a big exhibition,” Njenga explained.
Njenga was expelled from Bahati High School on allegations that his drawings were suggesting that he owes allegiance to some "demonic faith".
The school’s administration also said Njenga’s drawing of a scorpion on another student’s shirt was a sign of recruiting other students.
The charges were so serious that Njenga was advised to go for counselling before looking for another school.
“Seven of us who were found with drawings in class were told to step out. Little did I know that my academic routine in the school was about to change for good. Like the rest, I was told to go for counselling only to find a letter of expulsion waiting for me,” Njenga narrated.
The school’s decision sparked anger among a cross-section of Kenyans and art lovers in particular.
The government would later intervene in the matter with the Nakuru County Director for Education Isaac Asebe ordering the school to readmit the teenage boy.
Njenga's parents, however, declined to return their son to Bahati High School but instead transferred him to another institution.
