Indefinite Closure of Ambira Boys High School
Ambira Boys High School in Siaya County has been closed indefinitely following a student riot that caused extensive property damage and resulted in several injuries. The administration dispersed the student body after a disturbance that began after evening preparations and continued through the night, necessitating police intervention to restore order.
Initial reports suggest the unrest was triggered by an assault on a Form Three student. The situation rapidly escalated as groups of students began throwing stones at the staff quarters and vandalizing various school facilities.
Assessment of Property Damage
The vandalism affected multiple administrative and academic buildings. Significant destruction occurred in the dormitories, science laboratories, the staffroom, the bursar’s office, and the school kitchen.
The school’s recently updated computer laboratory was severely compromised, with reports indicating that only a single computer remained undamaged. The principal’s office also sustained substantial damage, including shattered windows and the destruction of filing cabinets containing students’ result slips.
Officers from the Ugunja Police Station were dispatched to contain the unrest. During the operation, several individuals, including a responding police officer, sustained injuries that required medical treatment.
Ongoing Investigations and Administrative Actions
In the aftermath of the incident, graffiti was discovered on the school buildings with messages such as “Government help us” and “Kauko, the former principal, we miss you.”
Eliud Owino, the School Board Chairperson, confirmed the severity of the property damage, stating that the institution faces a major rebuilding process due to the loss of critical equipment and documents. The immediate impact on Form Four candidates preparing for examinations remains undetermined as official investigations continue.
According to official statements from Benson James Aluodo, authorities are investigating several potential underlying factors contributing to the unrest. These include unverified reports of assault, alleged substance abuse, and student grievances regarding examination management. In a related administrative move, directives have been issued to transfer teachers who have served at the institution for over two decades, following suspicions that they may have influenced the students’ actions.
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