Okonkwo’s office almost turns into a murder scene as irate father strangles erratic son

Last Wednesday, Okonkwo’s office almost became a murder scene. What had begun as a routine discipline case could have escalated to a case of murder hadn’t Okonkwo, our tough school head acted swiftly. The notorious Kevo and three other students had been sent home for damaging the school’s roof and endangering the life of Depa.

The three rascals had been plying their mischief in the ceiling when an old board caved in. Besides engulfing the now embattled deputy head, Wangu Wa Makeri, in a cloud of ceiling dust, one of the boys landed in her office. The boys claimed they were looking for their lost textbooks, which they suspected a thief had hid in the ceiling.

Jemo, the school artisan, after combing the ceiling clambered down under a sack full of assorted items. The find included; mobile phones, cigarette sticks and yes - three rolls of bhang. “Am calling in the flying squad to handle your case,” threatened Okonkwo, surveying the contraband.

Within half an hour the dust-covered boys had suspension letters. Magarita’s attempt to have them allowed to change into clean clothes earned her a sharp reprimand. “If your department was effective, we would not be having these brats running around the school’s ceilings,” Okonkwo hissed. The HOD, guidance and counseling, quietly repaired to her office and took refuge in her pink thermos tea flask.

Irate father

Last Wednesday, the boys came in for the discipline hearing. Going through Kevo’s file, Okonkwo paused midway and marveled loudly at the boy’s ability to flourish in mischief. Indeed, Kevo and Timo, who is his bosom friend, somehow find themselves at the centre of every student’s crime at Meta Meta secondary school.

The file was full of letters of apology and warnings. Among the entries was one that detailed how he and other boys were caught trying to sneak into the girls’ dormitories at night while wearing skirts and false bras. An enraged Baba Kevo had to be restrained by Mr Thunder. He was looking daggers at his wife.

Other crimes included: practicing his artistic talents on the boys’ toilet walls where he caricatured some teachers and school prefects, faking a hand injury and even going to the length of acquiring a cast and forging a school’s report card to ‘give’ himself position three the previous year. “There are many more. This boy is a walking scandal,” sighed OKonkwo.

No one saw Kevo’s father shoot up. “I will kill you,” he snarled. He was strangling the boy by his school tie. His mother let out a scream that must have been heard at the shopping center. By some miracle we are yet to appreciate, Okonkwo - in spite of his aging knees and protruding tummy -flew over his desk to restrain the irate father.

“This is a school and not a battleground, he shouted,” as he freed the boy. The enraged father turned to his wife and asked, “ulitoa hii damu wapi (where did you get this bad blood)?” before storming out. Getting into his car, he raced out of the school compound at a satanic speed. After Kevo’s mother had calmed down, Okonkwo informed her that the case would have to be postponed and that she should go back with her son.

“Mwalimu, hatuwezi kurudi kwa hiyo nyumba,” huyo mwanaume atatumaliza” (we can’t go back to that house, that man will kill both of us), pleaded Kevo’s mother. “This is a school and not Dadaab refugee camp, go and sort your problems at home,” he coldly responded. It took Magarita’s intervention for her to agree to leave Okonkwo’s office. Kevo had to remain in school- for his own safety.

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