School on the spot over lesbianism claims

A secondary school in Nyeri County has reportedly suspended 32 girls over allegations of engaging in lesbianism.

The management is said to have taken the action after prefects made the claims against their colleagues.

Parents of the affected children, who were summoned to the school yesterday, said they were unhappy with the manner in which the matter had been handled.

A Form Three student, who is among those suspended, said she was barred from sitting the crucial end-of-term exams.

In addition, they were ordered to clean the school’s hall for one week as punishment.

“Teachers called some of us from our classrooms for questioning over the claims. What followed was punishment after punishment,” she said.

Another student said they were forced to pour water into the school hall and later drain it out. “We were cleaning the hall everyday. At times, we would miss meals and no one cared. The teachers beat us up with pipes,” she said.

Parents who spoke to The Standard criticised the school administration over its action and called on the Ministry of Education to intervene.

“The law is clear on how schools should handle such cases. These girls were tortured. They actually reported the assault to a local police station,” another parent said.

The management sent letters suspending the students to their parents and asked them to take their daughters for counselling before they can be allowed back.

The alleged incidents occurred in March just before the students went for April holidays.

None of the school’s board members was willing to speak to the media on the claims.