Form One students turned away over court order

Form One students and their parents outside Othaya Girls’ High School after they learnt of a court order suspending the admission. [PHOTO: MURIMI MWANGI/STANDARD]

By MURIMI MWANGI and MOHAMED DOYO

Nyeri, Kenya: Tens of Form One students were turned away when they arrived at a Nyeri secondary school, which is among the ten restrained from admitting fresh students.

The effects of a court order restraining Form One admission to Nyeri’s 10 top performing schools were felt at Othaya Girls’ High School whose enrollment was slated for yesterday.

Parents arrived at the school with their children only for the security guard to turn them away at the gate.

A copy of the court order and a handwritten poster informed parents that the admission process had been suspended.

The school principal Jane Waithaka said she kept getting phone calls from parents who were still unsure of court order’s outcome.

“We were all set for the admission and everything was set for the incoming students but as the court directs, we have put it on hold,” said Ms Waithaka.

One of the students stuck at the gate was Caren Muthoni, who had travelled with her guardians from Nairobi.

The guardians complained about the wasted time and resources and expressed concern that the students’ studies may be affected by the suit.

Muthoni, an orphan, was admitted to the school after scoring 382 marks in her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examinations which she sat at Pink Rose Academy in Nairobi.

Her guardian Patrick Ngugi said that he had already issued a school fees cheque and purchased the items needed for Muthoni.

“What concerns me more is the timing of the issuance of the court order. Why did it have to come when we have already paid fees and shopped?” he posed.

On Wednesday, Justice James Wakiaga of the Nyeri High Court issued the order temporarily suspending the admission process until the case is heard.

In the suit, the Nyeri County Government is accusing Education Cabinet Secretary Prof Jacob Kaimenyi and his Principal Secretary Dr Belio Kipsang of abetting flawed Form One selection.

Other schools affected are Nyeri Boys, Chinga Boys, Chinga Girls, Kangumbiri Girls, South Tetu Girls, Karima Boys, Tumutumu Girls, Othaya Boys and Narumoro Girls High schools.

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