Over 1,000 pupils at risk as Gatoto School stares at forceful takeover

Gatoto Community Primary School Director Gideon Mutuku argues with Embakasi South Deputy County Commissioner during a forceful takeover of the institution by the Government on January 6, 2025. [Benard Orwongo, Standard] Millions of shillings donated by well-wishers, along with the land of Gatoto Primary School are at the heart of a dispute that threatens to disrupt the education of over 1,000 learners in Mukuru Kwa Reuben. This emerged after the school's Board of Management (BOM) raised concerns about a forceful and illegal attempt to transfer the school from private to public management. According to Gideon Dambuki, Manager, the Gatoto Integrated Development Programme under which the school operates, there is an ongoing plot to forcefully take over the school's management in a questionable process led by area politicians and government officials. Dambuki named area MP Julius Mawathe, Chief David Ndirangu, Assistant County Commissioner, Sub-County Director of Education Mary Kimeu, and the school's former BOM chairperson Robinson Kombo as key figures people behind the alleged takeover. Dambuki explained that the takeover plan started in September 2024 whereby Kombo started championing the transfer of the school to the government. The project manager stated that the current BOM wrote to the sub-county director of education, the area chief, and the county commissioner seeking clarification on the alleged takeover, following rumours that surfaced without any official communication from the ministry. "They assured us they would look into the matter immediately after our communication, but nothing happened. The takeover process continued until we started hearing about intruders entering the school," he said. Forceful invasion He added that the situation escalated into a forceful invasion by the former BOM chair, Robinson Kombo, the area chief, and others who were adamant about converting the school from private to public ownership. "For the last 30 years, Gatoto has never received support from the government. We've been running three programmes," Dambuki said. He added that a new head teacher, Margaret Kimani, was allegedly deployed to the school by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). When contacted by The Sunday Standard for a comment on the matter, Kimani declined to provide any information and referred inquiries to the sub-county education director. "If you want to know anything about Gatoto Primary School, which is now a public school, please consult the sub-county education office. I am not authorized to speak to the media, and it's not a working day," said Ms Kimani. Mukuru kwa Reuben Member of County Assembly (MCA) Scholastic Muthoni, who supported the change, said the move was intended to enhance the school's management. "I support the government's decision to take over the management. This school has faced many challenges," said Muthoni. Her sentiments were echoed by Urbanus Musau, a representative from the office of Embakasi South MP Julius Mawathe, who confirmed the MP's full support for the transition to public management. "With this change, we can now allocate CDF funds to build classrooms and fence. The MP fully backs this initiative, and we urge the community to support us," he said. Official communication Mr Ndirangu declined to comment about the matter saying that he can only respond on a weekday. However, he acknowledged that he is aware of the ongoing wrangles. "I am currently handling my private business, I am aware of what is happening but I can only respond during working hours," said Chief Ndirangu. However, the project manager pointed out that the Ministry of Education has not provided any official communication to the Board of Management (BOM) confirming the change in management, nor has their certificate to operate as a private school been revoked. "I don't think the government would act maliciously to force changes informally. There seems to be a hidden agenda that we're not aware of. What is driving this? We've always worked well with the Ministry of Education," said Dambuki. He added, "Whenever they request data, plan visits, seek support, or organize capacity-building workshops for our teachers, we've cooperated fully. So, we're left wondering why this is being pushed behind the scenes and what the real interest is." The school's BOM emphasized that the institution is not in crisis and continues to operate smoothly with full donor support, making a forceful takeover unjustifiable."If there is a need for a takeover, stakeholders' opinions should be sought for concurrence," said Dambuki. Gatoto Primary School started in 1994 and runs under the donor-funded Gatoto Integrated Development Programme (GIDP), which is registered as a non-profit Non-Governmental Organisation. The school is an Alternative Provision of Basic Education and Training (APBET) school. Dambuki said GIDP supports 60 vulnerable families affected by HIV/Aids through a community programme offering food aid and mentorship, alongside managing the school.

Over 1,000 pupils at risk as Gatoto School stares at forceful takeover

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Over 1,000 pupils at risk as Gatoto School stares at forceful takeover

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