Strangers convert school in Nakuru town into homes

A fenced residential house at Bondeni Primary School in Nakuru on April 29, 2019. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Fifteen families have ‘invaded’ Bondeni Primary School in Nakuru town and converted part of the nursery section into residential homes.

The school’s Board of Management chairperson, Maxine Njoki, said the families were ‘strangers’ to the institution and are “a great danger” to learners.

“We have no idea who they are and how they came to settle in the nursery section of the school. The board has taken the matter up with relevant authorities in the education sector,” Ms Njoki said when reached for comment.

Learners trooping to the school for the second term, were yesterday welcomed with an iron sheet fence separating the ‘residential area’ from the school.

The nursery section that has a population of 35 pupils, now has just 11 -confined to a corner of the compound in one classroom. Initially it had three streams.

Njoki said the school was among assets handed over to the county government in 2013 when the devolved system of governance took effect.

“The house occupied by the strangers belongs to the school.We are seeking clarity from the Education department and the county government as to what is happening,” she said.

According to a survey map of May 28 1953, a copy which The Standard has, the school is located on 10.33 acre parcel of land.

Enrollment low

On the map, the school has eight housing units that were constructed to be occupied by teachers. That is where the nursery was located before the families  moved in.

“Teachers should be the ones living in these houses but we do not have information on who the occupants are and several efforts to have a meeting with them have borne no fruits,” said the school chairperson.

A visit to the school yesterday revealed that strangers use the same gate with learners to access the residential houses.

Enrollment at the school is also low despite provision of free primary education by the state.

There are 249 pupils with only 12 undertaking early childhood education. Standard one has only 19 pupils.

“As a community, we are worried about fate of the school because enrollment keeps dropping, an issue attributed to insecurity,” said Njoki.

A teacher at the school who requested anonymity for fear of victimisation, said it is difficult to conduct security checks on individuals who access the school.

“We cannot do security checks on people who access the school because majority claim to be residents of structures within the compound and are never willing to provide their details,” said the teacher.

Nakuru Town East deputy County Commissioner Mr Harman Shambi said the matter of people living within school premise has been reported.