Njoro Girls Closed After Student Death Protests
Njoro Girls High School in Nakuru County has been closed indefinitely following violent protests by parents and local residents over the death of a Form Four student. The demonstrations erupted after the family of the deceased accused the school of failing to seek timely medical care despite repeated complaints that the student was seriously ill.
The student, Brenda Akinyi, died at a Nakuru hospital after reportedly falling ill while at the institution. Her family says the teenager had complained of persistent headaches for days, but the school allegedly treated the matter casually, administering painkillers instead of referring her for specialized treatment.
Family Accuses School of Negligence
According to Brenda’s mother, the school nurse continued giving her daughter ibuprofen even as her condition worsened. She claimed the family was never informed early enough to intervene.
“She was complaining of a persistent headache, but the nurse kept giving her ibuprofen. They failed to contact me to go and take my child to the hospital,” the grieving mother said.
Relatives say they were only notified when Brenda’s condition had already deteriorated, forcing an emergency transfer to hospital where she later died. The family believes earlier medical attention could have saved her life.
“My daughter looked weak and dizzy. Her lips were chapped too. I don’t have much to say because this has already happened, but what I would like to tell the school is that let this not happen to another child,” the mother added emotionally.
Protests Rock Njoro Girls High School
News of the student’s death quickly spread across Njoro, triggering outrage among parents, students, and residents. On Monday morning, crowds gathered outside the school gates demanding answers from the administration.
Demonstrators accused the institution of ignoring students’ health concerns and cited previous incidents where learners allegedly received inadequate medical attention. Some parents claimed the school has a history of delaying referrals to hospitals even in serious cases.
Chants of “justice for Brenda” filled the air as protesters demanded the resignation of school officials and a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Police Deployed as Tensions Escalate
The situation escalated on Tuesday as more residents joined the protests. Anti-riot police were deployed to contain the crowds and prevent property destruction. For several hours, the area around the school remained tense, with roads partially blocked.
Education officials from Nakuru County were forced to intervene as learning activities became impossible. Nakuru Education Director Mulili announced that all Form Three and Form Four students had been sent home as a precautionary measure to allow investigations and to calm emotions.
“Considering the tension around the institution, we have asked upper classes to go home until further notice as we engage all stakeholders,” the director said.
Investigations and Postmortem Planned
Authorities have launched investigations into the incident to determine whether negligence occurred. A postmortem examination was scheduled to establish the exact cause of Brenda’s death.
Parents have demanded to be included in the probe, insisting that the findings must be made public. Community leaders have also called for reforms in how boarding schools handle medical emergencies.
Health experts say persistent headaches in adolescents can be a symptom of serious underlying conditions and should never be treated lightly. They have urged schools to strengthen referral systems and maintain close communication with parents whenever a learner shows worrying signs.
School Yet to Comment
By the time of publishing, Njoro Girls High School had not issued an official statement regarding the allegations. Attempts by journalists to get a response from the principal were unsuccessful.
The tragedy has reopened debate on the state of healthcare services in Kenyan boarding schools. Many institutions rely on basic dispensaries with limited personnel, leaving students vulnerable when complex illnesses arise.
Parents across Nakuru have now called for mandatory medical insurance for learners, fully equipped school clinics, and clear emergency protocols.
A Growing Concern in Kenyan Schools
This is not the first time a Kenyan school has faced accusations of delaying medical help. In recent years, several institutions have been put on the spot after students died following treatable illnesses.
Education stakeholders argue that schools must treat health matters with the same seriousness as academic performance. Child rights activists have also urged the Ministry of Education to enforce strict guidelines on student welfare.
As Brenda’s family prepares to lay her to rest, the community continues to seek justice and assurances that such a tragedy will never be repeated at Njoro Girls High School or any other institution.