Recently, students at Othaya Boys High School in Nyeri County engaged in protests that turned violent, leading to significant property damage. The students reportedly removed the school gate and vandalized various facilities, including the science laboratory. The reasons behind this unrest have not been fully disclosed, but the incident has sparked concerns about safety and discipline within the school. Authorities are expected to investigate the causes of the riot and assess the damage.
These student protests occurred amid broader unrest in Nyeri County, where teachers, under the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), have been on strike. The teachers have been protesting for better working conditions and advised parents to keep their children at home as they continue their industrial action. The combination of the student protests and the teachers’ strike has created a tense situation in the region.
This situation highlights the challenges faced by educational institutions in the area, including issues of discipline, safety, and labor disputes, all of which contribute to a disruptive environment for learning.