Lenana School Shut Indefinitely After Night of Unrest as Parents Ordered to Collect Students
Parents of students at Lenana School have been ordered to urgently collect their children after the prestigious Nairobi institution was closed indefinitely following unrest that erupted on Monday night.
The school’s administration announced the temporary closure on Tuesday, June 2, directing all parents and guardians to pick up learners from the school beginning at 8:00 a.m.
In a series of messages sent to parents, the school said no student would be allowed to leave the compound unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, or authorised representative.
The drastic move followed what school officials described as “restlessness and disturbance” among students during evening prep sessions on Monday night, prompting an emergency meeting between the school’s Board of Management and administration.
A notice issued to parents stated:
“Following the restlessness and disturbance experienced during preps in the school last night, the Board of Management and the school administration have resolved to temporarily release all students to allow for restoration of normalcy and a comprehensive assessment of the situation.”
The statement added:
“You are therefore requested to pick your son from the school at 8:00 a.m. today. Kindly ensure that all students leave the school compound accompanied by a parent, guardian, or an authorised representative.”
Despite confirming the unrest, the school did not immediately disclose what triggered the disturbance, leaving many parents and members of the public seeking answers.
Officials said the temporary closure would provide an opportunity to restore calm and conduct a thorough assessment before learners are allowed back to school.
Parents were informed that a reporting date and additional instructions would be communicated later.
“Further communication regarding the reporting date and subsequent arrangements will be provided in due course,” the administration stated.
Fresh Concerns Over Rising Cases of Student Unrest
The closure of Lenana School comes against the backdrop of growing concern over a wave of unrest incidents reported in schools across the country.
On the same night that Lenana students were reportedly protesting, a fire broke out at Tarakwo High School in Bomet County.
According to the Kenya Red Cross, emergency response teams were dispatched to the school, although no casualties were reported.
The incidents come just days after the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, which claimed the lives of 16 students and shocked the nation.
The tragedy has prompted the government to introduce a raft of new safety measures targeting boarding schools across Kenya.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen recently directed all boarding schools to install CCTV surveillance systems in strategic areas to enhance monitoring and help prevent future incidents.
Meanwhile, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba ordered a nationwide inspection of boarding schools beginning June 2, aimed at identifying safety gaps and enforcing compliance with regulations.
Authorities have warned that school administrators found neglecting student safety could face disciplinary action once the inspections are completed.
As investigations continue, the closure of Lenana School is likely to intensify concerns over discipline, student welfare, and safety standards in Kenyan schools at a time when education authorities are already under pressure to prevent further unrest and tragedies.
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