How parents can help end monster of bullying in Kenyan schools

Some schools in Kenya have an anti-bullying policy that each student has to read and sign. [Istockphoto]

When Joash Ochieng* reported for his first day in secondary school, he was elated. His dream of joining a high school of his choice had finally materialised. Other boys who were either in their second or third year in school waved at him. He took this as a sign of friendship to come. He was wrong.

An older school boy offered to carry his luggage to the dormitory and help him settle. That was the last time he saw the box. Subsequent attempts to try and salvage some of his items were met with a stern warning from other boys. He gave up and had to wear tattered clothes handed to him by 'sympathetic' ones.