Controversy as 13 boys are expelled from Siaya school over sex claims

Some of the 13 boys who were on June 23 expelled from Umina primary school in Ugunja Sub-county, Siaya County for allegedly engaging in sex with other pupils. Their attempts to get back to school have been futile as the headteacher insists they look for another school. PHOTO: KEVIN OGUTU/STANDARD

KISUMU: Controversy has erupted after a primary school headteacher in Siaya County allegedly expelled 13 boys he accused of having sex.

Domnic Koloo, the headteacher of Umina Primary School in Ugunja sub-county, is said to have accused the boys of luring girls to have sex with them.

Four of them, Standard Eight candidates, have now been forced to prepare for their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education exams from home.

Parents of some of the affected boys claim Mr Koloo also sent away 21 girls he said had been having sex with the boys and boda boda riders. However, the girls were allowed back in school.

One of the parents said the Standard Seven and Standard Eight boys have been at home since they were reportedly expelled on June 23.

“We went to inquire why our children had been chased from school and Koloo told us he had sufficient evidence that they were luring girls into sex after school,” said the parent.

However, Koloo yesterday denied expelling the students aged between 14 and 16.

“There is nothing like that. You can go write that in the papers,” Koloo told The Standard by phone.

UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT

This comes as the Education Department swung into action to investigate the claims. County Director of Education Nerea Olik said they had received a report on the alleged suspensions and were investigating.

“My office has just learnt about the unfortunate incident and I will seek out the head teacher on Monday (today) to explain why he dismissed the pupils,” said a shocked Ms Olik. “The head teacher has no right whatsoever to expel pupils because education is their constitutional right. The head teacher will have to give a better explanation on this matter,” she added.

“When a child has such a problem, the teachers should not expel them; instead, they are expected to advise them. Every child has a right to education. It is therefore wrong to expel a pupil on such grounds. This contravenes the law, which guarantees every child a right to free and compulsory basic education.”

Investigations by The Standard showed the school community was silent on the matter. Parents too shied away from speaking about it.

Some of the affected boys said the headteacher refused to listen to their explanations.

“He said he had evidence that we were luring girls into having sex with us,” said one of the boys who denied that they had been engaging in sex.

Another parent said Koloo had asked to meet them on June 27, a day after the matter erupted, when he told them their children had become too immoral and would not be allowed in school.

“He did not just send the boys home, he confiscated their books and bags as well. How do they prepare for their exams? This is unfair,” he added.

Another parent said: “We want the matter thoroughly investigated. The head teacher cannot use hearsay to expel our children.”