Keveye Girls reject new principal, again, over claims of poor performance

Friends School Keveye Girls students celebrating past KCSE results. [File, Standard]

He added: "We have made tremendous progress both in academics and general school infrastructural development, which would not progress in the best interest of the school's stakeholders should Ms Oyungu take over as principal."

"As a responsible board, we want to oversee a smooth administrative transition at the school by getting a principal who has good integrity with requisite leadership qualities. We strongly oppose Ms Oyungu taking over as Keveye Girls principal."

Clement Sloya, the Sabatia MP, said TSC did not involve the local leadership when making the changes at the school.

"That is why I have rejected the posting of the new principal," he said adding; "Keveye Girls is not a dumpsite for rejected teachers. We demand to have a say in the choice of the new principal."

The MP said the teaching and non-teaching staff and the students are not comfortable with the new principal.

"As an elected representative of the people, I have a duty to defend what's rightfully ours. I have the duty to protect the school from interference by people who are purporting to be helping us when in the real sense, they are destroying it," said Mr Sloya

The MP accused Vihiga County TSC director Loice Murrey of being arrogant when handling the issue. "She thinks she is above everyone in this region. That is why she is not listening to any other person apart from herself," said the MP.

"We will not accept Ms Oyungu to come to Keveye Girls as principal. Or are they telling us that Keveye is only the school she can be dumped? We want TSC to withdraw her posting with immediate effect and propose one of the current Keveye Girls deputy principals to hold brief until the issue is solved," said Mr Sloya

The Sabatia MP threatened to seek President William Ruto's intervention if TSC doesn't rescind their decision.

Nadebu Caleb, the Parents Association (PTA) chairperson, said parents will do everything possible to block Ms Oyungu from taking over as the new principal.

"Let TSC prepare for the mother of all battles with the parents if they refuse to listen to us. We have many avenues to settle this, including protests and seeking court intervention," said Mr Nadebu

Vihiga County TSC director Murrey declined to comment on the matter.

[Additional reporting by Brian Kisanji]