Angry Parents Storm Kamuoni Boys Demanding Principal's Ouster Over Ksh20,000 Riot Damage Fee

Tension gripped Kamuoni Boys High School in Makueni County after hundreds of angry parents staged demonstrations outside the institution, demanding the immediate transfer of the school principal and the withdrawal of a controversial KSh20,000 restoration fee imposed on every student following a recent wave of destruction at the school.

The protests, which drew parents from different parts of the county, highlighted growing frustrations over what many described as poor management, lack of accountability, and unresolved challenges that they believe contributed to the unrest that rocked the school earlier this month.

The dispute stems from a destructive student strike that reportedly lasted several nights and left a trail of damage across the institution. 

During the unrest, a dormitory was allegedly set ablaze, furniture was destroyed, office windows shattered, and several facilities, including parts of the school kitchen, suffered extensive damage. 

School administrators later estimated the losses at approximately KSh23 million and announced an indefinite closure of the institution as investigations and repairs got underway.

In an effort to raise funds for reconstruction, the school's Board of Management introduced a KSh20,000 levy for every student. 

However, the decision has sparked widespread outrage among parents, who insist they were neither consulted nor provided with sufficient information regarding the assessment of the damages.

Carrying placards and chanting slogans outside the school gates, the parents accused the administration of imposing an unfair financial burden on families already struggling with the high cost of living. 

Many argued that before demanding such a substantial contribution, the school should provide a detailed breakdown of the damage and explain exactly how the collected funds would be utilized.

"We are not refusing to support the school, but we need transparency. Parents deserve to know where every shilling will go before being asked to pay such a huge amount," said one parent during the demonstrations.

Others questioned whether the figures presented by the school accurately reflected the actual cost of repairs. Some parents claimed that even if every learner paid the levy, questions would still remain about how the funds would be managed and whether additional sources of funding were available.

Beyond the financial dispute, the demonstrations exposed deeper concerns about the state of affairs at the institution. 

Parents cited declining academic performance, poor student welfare, discipline challenges, and what they described as frequent unexplained charges imposed on learners over the years.

Several parents argued that the student unrest did not occur in isolation but was a symptom of broader frustrations that had allegedly been ignored for a long time. 

As a result, many are now calling for a change of leadership, insisting that restoring confidence in the school will require fresh management and a new approach to administration.

County education stakeholders have since appealed for calm and constructive dialogue between parents, school management, and education officials. 

Leaders expressed concern over the increasing number of school strikes reported in Makueni County since the start of the second term, warning that repeated disruptions could negatively affect learning outcomes for thousands of students.

Education officials are expected to engage all parties in discussions aimed at finding a lasting solution and facilitating the reopening of the school. 

Meanwhile, parents remain firm in their demands, insisting that accountability, transparency, and meaningful reforms must come before their children return to class.