St Mary’s Ukwala Boys High School in Ugenya subcounty, Siaya County, has been closed indefinitely following a chaotic student protest that erupted on the night of Monday, June 2. The incident has drawn widespread attention and renewed debate over conditions in boarding schools across Kenya, particularly issues around student welfare and discipline.
Chaos Erupts at Night
According to multiple reports, the unrest began at approximately 8:00 pm on Monday evening. Students from the prestigious boys’ secondary school are said to have gone on a rampage, smashing window panes in classrooms and administrative offices before marching out of the school compound.
Eyewitnesses say the learners proceeded towards Ukwala town in protest, chanting and demanding immediate attention to what they termed deteriorating standards within the institution. Specifically, the students claimed they had been served with maize flour that was substandard and allegedly unfit for consumption.
Despite what they described as repeated complaints to the administration, the students allege that their grievances were not addressed, forcing them to take matters into their own hands.
Swift Response from Authorities
Police officers were quickly called to the scene to prevent further escalation. The law enforcement officers managed to restore some degree of order and later escorted the students back to the school compound. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported during the unrest.
In the aftermath of the incident, officials from the Ministry of Education, led by Siaya County Director of Education Leonard Kabaki, held a consultative meeting with the school’s Board of Management (BoM) on Tuesday morning. It was during this session that the decision to close the institution indefinitely was made.
Kabaki confirmed the closure while speaking to The Star during a phone interview.
“The board was consulted and the students were sent home,” he said. “They destroyed windows in several classrooms and offices, and it was not safe to continue learning.”
Investigation Underway
While students cited the poor quality of maize flour as the main reason for their protest, education officials have noted that these claims are yet to be independently verified.
“When we arrived, the students had already left for home. So we can’t confirm that as the reason for their rampage. We need to engage with them further to understand the real cause,” Kabaki stated.
The Ministry of Education has launched an investigation into the events leading up to the rampage. School officials, teachers, and student leaders are expected to be interviewed to piece together the facts. Authorities are also examining whether there was a breakdown in communication between the student body and the school administration.
Parents and Community React
The closure of St Mary’s Ukwala Boys High School has left parents and community members in shock, especially considering the institution’s strong academic reputation in Ugenya and beyond. Many parents expressed frustration over the abrupt nature of the closure, saying they were not given adequate notice to prepare for their children’s return home.
“I had to rush from work after getting a call from my son saying the school had been closed. We deserve better communication from the school and the Ministry,” said Jane Achieng’, a parent whose son is in Form Three.
Others have questioned whether the unrest could have been prevented through better management and more open dialogue between students and the administration.
“Students don’t just wake up and protest unless there’s a history of being ignored. The school management should have taken their complaints seriously,” said a local youth leader in Ukwala.
Broader Pattern of Student Unrest
The incident at St Mary’s Ukwala Boys High School is the latest in a string of student unrest cases that have rocked schools across Kenya in recent months. In April and March 2025, Ramba Boys High School — also located in Siaya County — was closed twice following student disturbances over unrelated grievances, including disciplinary measures and dormitory conditions.
This troubling trend has raised concerns among education stakeholders about the underlying causes of student dissatisfaction. Some experts argue that high-pressure academic environments, poor communication, and perceived neglect of student welfare issues contribute to unrest.
Education Experts Weigh In
Dr. Mercy Wanjiku, an education consultant based in Kisumu, said school administrations must invest in student engagement frameworks that give learners a voice.
“We need to move beyond reactionary measures and build systems that address student concerns early. Schools should have functional student councils, regular feedback sessions, and nutrition audits,” she said.
She also emphasized that while student indiscipline should not be condoned, it often points to systemic issues that need to be addressed holistically.
“It’s not just about punishing students after the fact. We have to ask ourselves: What led them to feel this desperate?”
What’s Next for the School?
As of Tuesday evening, no official date has been set for the reopening of St Mary’s Ukwala Boys High School. Education officials have said the closure will remain in effect until investigations are concluded and the school is deemed safe for learning to resume.
Repair work on the damaged classrooms and administrative offices is expected to begin soon, pending approval from the Ministry and availability of funds. Meanwhile, students will have to wait for further communication from the school’s Board of Management regarding the resumption of academic activities.
In the meantime, the Ministry of Education is advising parents to ensure their children stay engaged academically at home and avoid any acts of misconduct.
Final Thoughts
The indefinite closure of St Mary’s Ukwala Boys High School is a significant development in Kenya’s education landscape. It highlights the urgent need for stronger dialogue mechanisms between students and school administrators, especially in boarding schools where learners spend the bulk of their formative years.
While the full picture of what transpired Monday night is still unfolding, the incident serves as a wake-up call for education stakeholders to proactively address issues of student welfare, food quality, and grievance resolution before they spiral into unrest.