Chebwagan Boys High School in Kericho County has been closed indefinitely after students staged protests just one week into the first term of the 2026 academic year. The unrest, which broke out on the night of Sunday, January 11, forced education authorities to send students home as tensions escalated within the institution.
The dramatic closure comes barely days after schools reopened following the long December holiday, disrupting learning for hundreds of students and raising fresh concerns over discipline and school management in public secondary schools.
Why Chebwagan Boys Students Went on Strike
According to reports from education officials in Kericho County, the strike was sparked by anger among students, particularly Form Four candidates, over the school administration’s alleged failure to provide proper meals during the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.
Students reportedly accused the school management of compromising their diet at a critical academic period, claiming they were served low-quality or inadequate food while sitting for the national exams. Many learners believe the poor nutrition directly affected their concentration and performance.
Beyond the food issue, dissatisfaction with the current school administration also played a major role in the unrest. Students are said to have lost confidence in the leadership after Chebwagan Boys posted disappointing results in the 2025 KCSE examinations compared to previous years.
Education Director Orders Immediate Closure
In response to the growing unrest, the Kericho County Director of Education ordered the indefinite closure of Chebwagan Boys High School to prevent the situation from escalating into violence or widespread destruction.
The decision was aimed at restoring calm and protecting both students and school property as emotions ran high following the overnight protests.
By Monday morning, January 12, police officers had been deployed to the school to oversee the safe departure of students. Videos circulating on social media showed learners leaving the compound carrying their suitcases and bedding, escorted by security officers.
Residents Step In to Prevent Damage
In an unusual development, residents living near the school rushed to the institution after learning about the strike. Community members reportedly intervened to help calm the students and prevent possible vandalism of school property.
Their involvement is believed to have helped contain the situation before it turned destructive. However, as of now, it remains unclear whether any buildings or facilities within the school were damaged during the protests.
School Yet to Issue Official Statement
As of the time of reporting, the Chebwagan Boys High School administration has not released an official statement addressing the strike, the students’ complaints, or when learning is expected to resume.
Parents and guardians have been left in uncertainty, with many now forced to accommodate their children at home just days after the school term had begun.
Education stakeholders are expected to engage the school management, students, and county education officials in an attempt to resolve the issues and facilitate a safe return to classes.
Strike Comes at a Critical Time
The closure comes at a particularly sensitive time in the academic calendar. The first term of the 2026 school year had just begun after a nearly two-month holiday, and students were expected to settle into serious academic work.
According to the Ministry of Education calendar, schools are scheduled to remain in session for 13 weeks during the first term before breaking for the April holiday starting on April 2, 2026.
Learners will then return for the second term on April 27, 2026.
In addition, schools are set to observe a mid-term break from February 25 to March 1, 2026, giving students and teachers a five-day rest period before completing the term.
The unexpected closure of Chebwagan Boys now threatens to derail academic progress, especially for candidates preparing for national examinations later in the year.
Growing Concern Over Student Unrest
The Chebwagan Boys strike adds to a growing list of Kenyan secondary schools that have experienced unrest over administrative decisions, exam performance, and living conditions.
Education experts warn that unresolved grievances, poor communication, and inadequate student welfare can easily trigger strikes, especially during high-pressure periods such as KCSE examination years.
Unless the issues raised by the Chebwagan Boys students are addressed, there are fears that tensions could re-emerge when learners are recalled.
For now, parents, teachers, and education officials wait for further communication from the school and the Ministry of Education on the way forward.