Kericho Tea Boys High School has been closed indefinitely following a student strike triggered by allegations that the school management failed to adhere to a meal plan funded by a donation from President William Ruto. The unrest erupted after students accused the administration of not implementing a menu they had devised using KSh500,000 provided by the President specifically for their meals.
According to a student who requested anonymity, the proposed menu was intended to provide rice and beans for lunch and meat and ugali for supper over a period of four to five weeks. Additionally, the plan included serving bread for breakfast during the sixth and seventh weeks, culminating in a special meal on the closing day, which had been allocated KSh67,000. However, students claimed that the school adhered to this menu for only two days before reverting to the usual meals of githeri for lunch and beans and ugali for supper. "The school failed to honour the plan and we ate rice and beans for lunch, meat and ugali for supper for only two days, then they went back to githeri and beans and ugali," the student lamented.
The dissatisfaction over the meals led to unrest early in the morning, with students reportedly damaging windows in the dormitories. The situation escalated, prompting the intervention of the Kericho County CEC for Education. In response to the unrest, the students were released, and the school was closed indefinitely to restore order and address the grievances.
President Ruto had donated a total of KSh5.5 million to the school during his recent tour of the South Rift region. Of this amount, KSh5 million was earmarked for development projects, while KSh500,000 was specifically allocated for the students' meal plan. The donation was part of the President's initiative to support educational institutions in the region.
The closure of Kericho Tea Boys High School underscores the challenges schools face in managing funds and meeting student expectations. It also highlights the importance of transparent communication between school administrations and students to prevent misunderstandings and unrest. As the school remains closed, stakeholders are expected to engage in discussions to resolve the issues and ensure a smooth reopening.
