Outrage After Boys School Sneak Into Girls’ Dorm at Midnight in Elgeyo Marakwet
Two schools in Elgeyo Marakwet County are in the eye of the storm after Marakwet Boys High School boys sneaked into Santa Maria Cheptulon Girls’ dormitories.
According to reports, eight boys from Marakwet Boys slipped out of their school at 11pm and walked nearly 5km to Santa Maria Girls. They allegedly entered one of the dormitories at midnight and spent several hours before returning to their school in the morning.
The matter has been going on for almost two months now with questions on how the school administrations handled the situation. At Santa Maria Girls, 22 students were suspended after being named by their peers. Parents of some of the girls have since protested the disciplinary measures saying their daughters were unfairly punished without evidence.
One parent whose daughter was suspended twice accused the school of victimizing students instead of seeking the truth. “My daughter was told to confess that she slept with the boys so that she can be allowed back but she refused because it was not true. She has now been sent home again,” the mother said.
At Marakwet Boys, the eight students involved were suspended but later allowed back to school. A teacher revealed that the boys admitted to sneaking into the girls’ dormitory saying they were invited. The source also alleged that such visits had been going on for years, describing it as a “tradition”.
Santa Maria Girls Acting Principal Consolata Ojwang confirmed that boys gained unauthorized access but declined to give further details saying only that the school board had reviewed the case and repaired the fence used during the incident.
The matter has since attracted the attention of education authorities. Marakwet West Sub-County Director of Education Kipyego Sang said disciplinary action is still ongoing for both students and teachers.
But rights activist Kimutai Kirui has faulted the school’s handling of the matter saying why police, child protection officers or medical professionals were not involved immediately after the incident. “The school acted as investigator, judge and jury in a case with serious implications. This shows a breakdown of student safety and accountability,” he said, calling for an independent investigation and stronger child protection measures.
Both schools are on the defensive as parents, education officials and rights groups demand accountability and better security in schools.
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Outrage After Boys School Sneak Into Girls’ Dorm at Midnight in Elgeyo Marakwet