Principal on Spot After Locking Female Students Out of School at Night

Students from St. Anne’s Girls Secondary School outside the school gate

A wave of public outrage erupted after students from St. Anne’s Girls Secondary School in Makadara, Nairobi, were forced to spend hours outside the school gate on Tuesday, January 7, due to unpaid school fees.

According to reports, the students were stranded outside the compound for most of the day, with reports indicating they had been locked out as early as 10 a.m. despite having paid part of their fees.

"I've paid half of the school fees, but they are still asking for the whole amount. I come from far, and we have been here since morning without eating," lamented one student. 

Another student who had traveled from Kisii said it was a humiliating and stressful experience.

The situation gained publicity after videos of the stranded students circulated on social media, compelling condemnation from all corners.

Photos seen by Daily Times KE showed the students huddled together on the pavement outside the school gate, their school bags beside them. 

The incident sparked national condemnation, with many questioning why the school defied the Ministry of Education’s directive barring the expulsion of students over unpaid fees.

A team sent by Makadara MP George Aladwa outside St. Anne’s Girls Secondary School 

Area Member of Parliament George Aladwa intervened by sending his team to the school to try and resolve the standoff after being alerted by concerned residents.

"Following reports that some students at St Anne's were left stranded outside the premises, I immediately dispatched my team to assess the situation. I have since instructed the school management to grant access to the students and I can now confirm that all the students are safely inside the school," said Aladwa in a statement.

Other leaders similarly condemned the manner in which the school's administration handled the issue. 

Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the school principal. 

“How do you lock out students when some have traveled from as far as Garissa? This is unacceptable,” he said.

At the same time, nominated Senator Karen Nyamu also condemned the incident, describing the principal's actions as "shocking and insensitive" considering the vulnerability of the young girls.

The Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission have yet to comment on the matter, while Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos remained silent despite previous government assurances that no student would be sent away over fee arrears.