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Kisii students on rampage

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Published on Saturday, 02 June 2007 03:11

Kisii High School students yesterday went on the rampage, causing extensive damage to property at the institution. The students were said to be protesting against the failure by the striking teachers to teach them. They also demanded the immediate closure of the school. There were other claims by the students that they had not received some Sh40,000 said to have been donated by President Moi, when he attended this year’s Kisii ASK Show.

The rioters broke into the staffroom, removed all the teachers’ desks, stationery and other property before setting them on fire using petrol. They then shattered the window panes in the staffroom, dining hall, assembly hall, food store, kitchen, Form One block, maths department and the catering office.The 3.30 am incident also saw the students destroy the physics and chemistry laboratories, four workshops and parts of the administration block. Anti-riot policemen led by local OCPD Anderson Wambugu managed to quell the violence and apprehended nine students outside the school. But Wambugu told journalists that the nine boys were taken to the police station for their own security and were released at around 9 am. The OCPD, however, confirmed that by 10.30 am, they had managed to arrest two of the suspected ringleaders, who had run away from the school.

Kisii DC Tingo Nyamatiko ordered all the students to go home apart from the candidates. Meanwhile, Dr Shem Ochuodho yesterday asked the Government to make a credible offer to the striking teachers to end the stalemate, reports Haroun Wandalo. Dr Ochuodho, who is the chairman of SPARK party, said intimidating teachers was an unacceptable option. Ochuodho said it wouyld be prudent for the Government to consider the fate of thousands of students, some of whom are due to sit their final examinations at the end of the year. Speaking on the telephone, Ochuodho said: “I urge the Government to make a credible offer to teachers instead of intimidating them.”

The Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC) chief executive, Mr Benjamin Sogomo, has taken a tough stand saying the striking teachers will be replaced. Sogomo put out a paid advertisement in our sister publication, the East African Standard, asking qualified teachers to apply for the vacant positions.