Four parents of students from St. Gabriel Isongo High School have been brought to the Mumias court following protests on January 12, 2024, aimed at ousting the headteacher.
Amos Kweyu, Eddy Maende, Elphas Obongita, and Vincent Shiundu were charged with assaulting and causing injuries to the headteacher, David Wafula.
Senior Magistrate Marcela Onyango of Mumias also read a charge of causing chaos in the school, disrupting peace on the premises.
The four were arrested after chaos erupted at the school, with parents complaining about the embarrassing results of the National Form Four Examination (KCSE 2023).
The court was told on Tuesday that the four, along with others who were not in court, forcibly entered the school and expelled the headteacher and the head of the class schedule.
They allegedly committed these offenses on January 12, 2024.
They pleaded not guilty and were released on a bond of Ksh 50,000 or a cash bail of Ksh 15,000 each.
The case will be mentioned on February 2, 2024, and heard on March 18, 2024.
Following the incident, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) removed 17 teachers. After widespread outcry from parents, TSC decided to redeploy 17 teachers, three of whom were from the group that was initially removed. This means that TSC brought in 14 new teachers.
The Director of TSC in Western Kenya, Joseph Mugele, said that the three were there to guide the new teachers who arrived at the school to familiarize themselves with the environment.
Deputy Commissioner of Mumias East, John Lang’at, said they advised the school administrators to install a chain-link fence.
“We have engaged with politicians in the area and told them to avoid activities that undermine the learning process,” Lang’at said.
He added that both teachers and students will be given counseling.
