Learning was disrupted at Gatoto Primary School in Mukuru kwa Reuben, Nairobi, following a protest by parents on Monday over alleged land grabbing by local leaders.
The enraged parents stormed the school, protesting what they described as a plot by a few individuals to secretly alter the ownership of the land associated with the school.
Police were deployed to control the escalating situation as the agitated parents roamed the school compound, some chanting “We are peaceful.”
Learners were sent home as the situation became too risky for their safety. The police clashed with the parents, chasing them outside the school gates, where they continued their protest.
Parents outside the Mwamunga Primar School in Voi on July 9, 2024
Photo
KTN News
Expressing their disappointment, parents pointed an accusing finger at leaders they believed were behind the imminent land grabbing.
“We do not want politics; we want the school to continue. The school belongs to the government,” one parent asserted.
According to the parents, the dispute over land ownership had delayed the disbursement of capitation funds, even as the first term commenced on January 6.
The parents vowed not to allow the land to be grabbed, insisting that the land is public property.
“Let us have this land for our school so that capitation can come through. We cannot allow a few individuals to grab public land,” another parent appealed.
“We are asking the government to ensure the security of our pupils,” added another concerned parent.
The frustrated parents also complained that their concerns were being ignored, as they had not received any feedback from the County Education offices.
By the time of publishing this story, the Ministry of Education had not responded to the incident.
A file image of pupils of Komarock South Primary School
Citizen Digital
