Bread, a Sh 6million debt and angry high school students
Photo of the Nakuru high school bus after students broke its windows during a riot on February 9, 2025.
Students from Nakuru High School are expected to resume learning next Tuesday after being sent home following a riot at the school on Sunday, February 9, 2025.
In a phone interview with the County Director of Education, Victoria Mulili, she notes that after a crisis meeting on Monday, it was agreed that students should return next week to allow the school ample time to renovate what was damaged during the protest.
“Form Two students will resume school on Tuesday, while Form Four and Form Three students will return on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively,” she says.
When asked about the cost incurred by the school due to the riots, Ms. Mulili states that Public Works officers have been sent to assess the damage and quantify the extent of the destruction.
“The school bus, classrooms, administration block, and dormitory windows were shattered. Additionally, students broke into the food store and stationery store, causing extensive damage. Following yesterday’s meeting, another meeting with parents’ representatives has been held today, to provide guidance on how the repairs will be carried out,” she explains.
According to Ms. Mulili, the school had a debt accumulating to Sh6 million with a bread supplier, who in turn took the school to court. As a result, the school had to find a way to address this financial issue.
Damaged trophy cabinet that was destroyed by Nakuru high students during a riot at the school on February 9, 2025.
“The school resorted to having parents buy bread vouchers for students for their mid-morning tea break, remaining with the budget for the 6 am tea,” she remarks.
Furthermore, Ms Mulili mentions that no arrests have been made in connection with the students who planned the riots.
She however is quick to note that DCI officers have launched investigations and are reviewing CCTV footage from the school to assist in the case.
A source at the school who is not authorized to speak to the media, revealed to Mtaa Wangu that the students rioted after numerous attempts to engage the school administration on issues pertaining meal rations and the 10.30 am bread which was removed from their meal roster.
“Since the beginning of the semester, bread was removed from the meal plan, which angered the students. Additionally, the introduction of cashless payments did not sit well with them,” the source notes.
Besides that, the students were also unhappy about drinking tea without milk after the school implemented the change.
The source further reveals that the school had plans to establish a bakery that would supply bread at a more cost-effective price.
Recalling how the students unleashed havoc on the school, the source says the riots began at 9.30 pm, shortly after their evening studies.
“The angry students first went to the school bus before heading to the dining hall, where they complained about the outdated entertainment equipment, despite having contributed some money for its upgrade,” the source says
The four-hour uproar was eventually contained by police officers who intervened to restore calm and order.