Ministry of Education Urged to Hold School Administrators Accountable
The Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) has called on the Ministry of Education to take immediate and firm action against the administration of Alliance Girls High School, following shocking allegations of sexual misconduct by a teacher at the prestigious national school.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday, July 8, FIDA-Kenya condemned what it described as the school leadership’s reluctance to act on reports of abuse. The organization has demanded disciplinary and legal consequences not only for the alleged perpetrator but also for school authorities who may have enabled or ignored the abuse.
“We demand that the Ministry of Education hold the school accountable for its failure to safeguard students from harm,” said Christine Kungu, FIDA Chairperson.
Allegations Uncovered by African Uncensored Investigation
The disturbing allegations came to light following an investigative report by African Uncensored, in which students and alumni of Alliance Girls High School shared first-hand accounts of sexual assault and harassment by a teacher who had served at the school for several years.
Some of the survivors claimed that the school administration failed to respond appropriately, even after being alerted to the inappropriate behavior. Instead of launching a transparent investigation, victims say their concerns were downplayed or dismissed — contributing to a culture of silence and fear.
FIDA Condemns Culture of Impunity in Schools
In its statement, FIDA emphasized that schools must be safe spaces for learning, growth, and character formation. The organization decried the apparent impunity that allowed abuse to persist unchecked at one of Kenya’s top-performing public schools.
“We applaud the survivors for breaking their silence and challenging a culture of impunity within the school,” the statement read.
“Schools must be held to the highest standards when it comes to protecting the best interests of the child.”
FIDA warned that unless deliberate measures are taken to hold institutions accountable, similar violations will continue in other schools across the country.
Ministry of Education Urged to Enforce Anti-SGBV Policies
To address the wider issue of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Kenyan schools, FIDA-Kenya is urging the Ministry of Education to take the following steps:
- Hold Alliance Girls accountable for failing to act decisively against the accused teacher and institute administrative reforms.
- Launch an independent and transparent investigation into the incident.
- Direct all schools, both public and private, to adopt gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) policies that include:
- Mandatory annual SGBV training for all teaching and non-teaching staff
- Periodic policy reviews and risk assessments
- Confidential student reporting mechanisms
- Implement institutional safeguards that ensure:
- Students can report abuse without fear of retaliation
- Survivors receive legal aid and psychological support
- Strict action is taken against staff found guilty of misconduct
“The Ministry must provide clear and enforceable measures to ensure the safety and dignity of all learners,” FIDA stated.
Call for Transparency From Alliance Girls Board
In addition to government-level action, FIDA has urged the Board of Management at Alliance Girls High School to act independently and transparently in its internal probe of the accused teacher. They warned against any attempts to shield the institution’s image at the expense of survivors’ rights and justice.
“The Board must immediately suspend the teacher pending investigations and take appropriate disciplinary and legal action,” said Kungu.
FIDA added that any former or current staff who might have helped cover up the misconduct must also face appropriate sanctions.
Breaking the Silence: Encouraging Survivors to Speak Out
FIDA also commended the bravery of the survivors who participated in the African Uncensored investigation, noting that breaking the silence is the first step toward justice and healing.
The organization is now offering legal and psychological support to current and former students affected by the abuse.
“We encourage any other survivors to come forward,” FIDA said. “Your voice matters. Justice can only be served if we shine a light on these dark practices.”
FIDA pledged to stand with survivors throughout any legal proceedings or institutional actions that may follow.
Broader Implications for Kenya’s Education Sector
The incident at Alliance Girls — one of Kenya’s most respected national schools — has sent shockwaves throughout the country, prompting parents, teachers, and education stakeholders to question just how many more such cases remain hidden in elite schools.
According to child rights groups and recent reports, sexual violence in schools is not uncommon, with many cases going unreported due to:
- Fear of stigma or retaliation
- Lack of safe reporting structures
- Protection of school reputations over student safety
- Inadequate teacher training on SGBV prevention
Stakeholders now believe that a national conversation is needed to redefine school safety standards, and empower students to speak out without fear.
Education Ministry Yet to Respond
As of July 8, the Ministry of Education had not issued a formal response to the allegations or FIDA’s demands. However, public pressure is mounting, with calls on CS Ezekiel Machogu to publicly address the matter and provide a roadmap for institutional reforms.
Parents’ associations, education rights groups, and NGOs have joined the call, insisting that the Ministry must take the lead in:
- Investigating past abuse cases
- Holding administrators accountable
- Establishing zero-tolerance frameworks for all forms of abuse in schools
The Way Forward: Ending Abuse and Restoring Trust
FIDA-Kenya’s statement concludes with a strong message: student welfare must always come first. Restoring public trust in Kenya’s education system starts with transparency, accountability, and justice for survivors.
“Protecting the welfare of students is the first step in restoring dignity in the education sector,” FIDA stated.
As the country watches closely, all eyes are now on the Ministry of Education and the Alliance Girls High School Board to see if they will act decisively to protect Kenya’s children and restore integrity to the education system.