Parents question exam readiness as Jomo Kenyatta Boys sets re-opening dates

Parents of Form Four students at Jomo Kenyatta Boys High School in Nakuru have raised concerns over the candidates’ preparedness for the national examinations after repeated disruptions to learning.

The concerns come after the school informed parents that the institution would reopen in phases following the September 2 unrest that caused extensive damage to the school.

In a circular dated September 8, the school says the damage affected dormitory areas, offices, classrooms and the deputy head teacher’s office, with the total loss assessed at Sh. 9.63 million.

The school says the cost would be shared among all the 1,536 students who were present at the school during the unrest, with each student required to pay Sh 6,300.

For Form Four students, the school says the third-term fee will be reduced by Sh. 4,450 because of the disruption, leaving a balance of Sh. 2,762.

It also notes that the candidates will report back on October 21 and 22, in two groups, by 3pm.

Grade 10 students have been split into two reporting groups. Streams 10B1 through 10B5 are expected back on Friday, October 2, while streams 10B6 through 10B10 report the following day, Saturday, October 3, both by 3:00 p.m.

For Grade 10 learners specifically, the school said third term fees would be reduced by Sh. 3,800 to account for lost learning time and will only see the adjustment reflected in Term One fees for 2027.

The students are required to be accompanied by their official parents or guardians, with school and damage fees fully paid.

But John Kamotho, a parent, says the situation is worrying for Form Four candidates who have already lost learning time and are now approaching their national examinations.

Kamotho says the students did not complete the syllabus in the previous term because of unrest and that learning has again been disrupted this term.

He questions what alternative measures have been put in place to help the candidates cover the syllabus before the examinations.

Kamotho says parents have largely been left to deal with the disruption and find ways of helping their children continue learning while away from school.

He says he has also attempted to transfer his child to another school but has not been successful.

“I have approached several schools who have cited lack of space,” he says noting he believes some are reluctant to admit students from Jomo Kenyatta and Njoro Boys because of the reputation associated with unrest at the institutions.

The County Director of Education, Victoria Mulili, says students returning to the school will undergo a screening process to establish the role each one played during the unrest.

She notes that the process is intended to promote accountability, with students found culpable expected to face disciplinary action through the school’s Board of Management.

The director says investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations will also be considered alongside other investigations as students return in phases.

She says investigators are examining communication among students on social media platforms, including WhatsApp and Instagram, as part of efforts to establish factors that contributed to the unrest.

The latest disruption is part of a series of incidents that have affected learning at the school this year.

Contrary to the school notice, Mulili says Form Four candidates will return earlier for the national examination process.

She says the candidates will report on October 16 for the KCSE rehearsal and will remain in school thereafter rather than return home.

The 2026 KCSE timetable issued by the Kenya National Examinations Council lists October 16 as the official rehearsal day, while examination activities begin on October 19 with French, German, Kenyan Sign Language and Music papers.