St. Mary’s Ukwala High Closed Indefinitely as Students Riot Over ‘Inedible’ Meals
St. Mary’s Ukwala High School in Siaya County has been closed indefinitely after angry students protested the poor quality of food, especially the maize flour used to make their daily ugali.
The Monday night strike turned chaotic as the learners shattered windows in classrooms and offices. Shortly after, they stormed out of school and marched to the Ukwala education offices.
“We Were Tired of Eating That Ugali”
According to several students, the school had ignored multiple complaints about the quality of food. The tipping point was the alleged use of substandard maize flour.
“We were tired of eating that ugali. It’s not even food. We raised our concerns, but they ignored us,” one student told reporters during the protest.
Parents Caught Off Guard
The chaos left parents frustrated and in disbelief. Many were unaware of the school’s unrest until they met their children returning home.
One parent, who had just paid fees, expressed her shock.
“My son was home for fee-related issues,” she said. “While escorting him to school, I met his colleagues being sent home. I was forced to turn back with him.”
She added, “It’s painful. Our children spoke out about the food quality, but no one listened. Now they’re sent home again. How are we supposed to help them succeed like this?”
Authorities Step In
Siaya County Education Director Leonard Kabaki confirmed the closure on Tuesday morning.
“We resolved to close the school temporarily as we investigate the cause of the unrest and assess the damage,” Kabaki said.
He emphasized that student safety was a top priority and promised that the matter would be addressed thoroughly.
Uncertain Future
There is growing uncertainty among parents and students about when the school will reopen. The academic calendar has already been affected, and fears of delayed syllabus coverage are growing.
“We are worried,” another parent stated. “The students had genuine concerns. The school must do better. We want solutions, not suspensions.”
Not an Isolated Case
Worryingly, this is not the first case of student unrest over meals. On February 10, students at Nakuru High School rioted over poor food quality, destroying classrooms, dormitories, and the administration block.
They even broke into the dining hall and storeroom, reportedly eating some of the food they had criticized.
Clearly, food quality in schools is emerging as a national concern.
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St. Mary’s Ukwala High Closed Indefinitely as Students Riot Over ‘Inedible’ Meals
