Nakuru Boys High School has been closed indefinitely following student unrest on Sunday night over management issues and food.
Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara confirmed that order had been restored and students were sent home for a week before further instructions could be given.
He said the students were sent home yesterday morning after a meeting was held to discuss the unrest.
“There was massive destruction of property at the school and the damage is being assessed. Calm has been restored and the students sent home,” said Kibaara.
Sources who spoke on conditions of anonymity told The Standard that the violent protests which began around 9 pm lasted over three hours.
The students were reportedly angered by a decision to scrap mid-morning tea and the introduction of black tea for breakfast.
They were also opposed to the introduction of a card payment system for items purchased at the school canteen and wanted to continue paying with cash.
Separate reports said the students were also advocating for upgraded entertainment facilities.
The source said the students destroyed amenities and vandalized the administration block, classrooms, dormitories, school bus, and other items.
He said the boys also broke into the dining hall and storage room where they stole food with some students eating food items in the storage.
“The students were angered by the administration’s decision to scrap off milk tea and replace it with black tea,” said the source who wanted to remain anonymous.
Another source said that the strike was fostered by the management decision to allegedly introduce card payments at the school canteen, instead of money.
Further, the students allegedly were disappointed by the failure of the management to upgrade entertainment facilities despite them contributing entertainment fees.
The source added that the students also protested the removal of mid-morning tea and bread.
“It was also a claim that the boys have issues with the new Principal on the claims that he is unfairly tough on them,” said the source.
The students will now stay at home for one week after which they will receive communication from the school administration on when they will report back to continue with their studies.