Jomo Kenyatta boys’ parents petition education ministry over rampant student unrest

A section of parents and alumni of Jomo Kenyatta Boys High School have petitioned the ministry of Education to conduct comprehensive assessment of the school’s boarding facilities

In a petition dated September 7, 2026, and submitted to the Nakuru County Director of Education and the school’s Board of Management through the principal, the parents and alumni raised concerns over a series of incidents of unrest at the school this year, calling for an urgent health, fire, and life-safety audit before students return.

Of particular concern is Elgon Dormitory, where the petitioners say metal bars appear to have been welded onto the original window frames, along with heavy metal gates, chains, and locks, a high perimeter wall, and sections of razor wire.

They say while the security installations could have legitimate purposes, their combination in a student boarding facility raised questions about whether students would be able to escape quickly in the event of a fire or other emergency.

“If a fire or other emergency occurs at night, can every student escape rapidly and safely?” the petition asks, calling for the matter to be determined through a professional assessment rather than assumptions.

The parents and alumni want the assessment completed before the affected dormitories are occupied and have asked authorities to establish whether all emergency exits are adequate and accessible, whether doors can be opened from inside during an emergency, and whether locks, chains, window bars, perimeter walls or razor wire could obstruct evacuation.

They have also called for an inspection of the school’s fire detection and alarm systems and firefighting equipment, as well as verification that fire engines, ambulances and other emergency responders can access the student accommodation without unnecessary obstruction.

The group further wants the school to establish who authorized the installation of the metal window bars, when the modifications were made, and whether they underwent the required professional safety assessment and approval.

Beyond the physical infrastructure, the group wants the school to strengthen its emergency preparedness, including fire-safety training for staff, regular evacuation drills, clearly designated assembly points and procedures for accounting for all students after an evacuation.

According to the petition, dormitory masters and night-duty personnel should have clearly defined responsibilities and immediate access to emergency keys, communication equipment and emergency procedures.

The parents and alumni have also asked the school to review dormitory conditions, sanitation and hygiene, feeding and nutrition, student supervision, counselling and mechanisms through which students can raise concerns without fear of intimidation or retaliation.

The petition comes after what the group described as recent incidents at the school and extensive damage, which they said had prompted concerns about health, fire and life safety in the boarding facilities. The recent incident occurred last week which led to indefinite closure of the school after students were sent home

The petitioners have asked the County Director of Education and the Board of Management to facilitate an independent professional assessment, require corrective action where deficiencies are identified, and ensure accountability where negligence or failure of duty is established.

 “Punishment alone cannot substitute for prevention,” the petition says, calling for both individual responsibility and institutional safety.