Form Four candidate’s demise sparks unrest and accusations of negligence.

Learning at Njoro Girls High School in Nakuru County has been paralyzed indefinitely after the administration shut down the institution following intense student unrest. The protests were triggered by the tragic death of a Form Four student, an incident that has inflamed tensions between the student body and the school management, with accusations of medical negligence taking centre stage.

The students went on a rampage, demanding answers and accountability for their colleague, who reportedly fell ill while in school. According to the students, their pleas for her to receive urgent medical attention were initially ignored or delayed by the school nurse and administration. By the time she was rushed to the hospital, it was too late. This narrative of "concealment" and "delay" sparked a furious reaction that left the school with no option but to send everyone home.

A Pattern of Neglect?

This is not the first time the school has faced such allegations. The incident bears a haunting resemblance to the 2023 death of Whitney Njoki, a Form One student at the same institution, whose family also accused the school of failing to communicate about her illness in time. The recurrence of such a tragedy has led to a complete breakdown of trust.

• The Closure: The County Director of Education ordered the indefinite closure to prevent further destruction of property and to allow for a cooling-off period.
• The Investigation: Police and education officials have launched a probe into the circumstances surrounding the student's death, with parents demanding the removal of the principal.

Parents in Pain

For the parents rushing to pick up their daughters, the mood was one of anger and fear. "We bring our children here to learn, not to die," one parent told reporters. As the Form Four candidates stare at a disrupted calendar in their final year, the Njoro Girls community is left mourning a young life cut short and demanding justice that is long overdue.