Tensions ran high at Upper Sagana Primary School in Kirinyaga County as irate parents staged a demonstration to halt the construction of a police post within the school compound. The project, initiated by the Ndia Constituency National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), faced backlash from parents who claimed they were not consulted prior to its commencement.
Led by Parents Teachers Association (PTA) Chairman Jeremiah Gikunju, the parents expressed outrage over what they termed as a unilateral decision to put up a police post in a learning institution. “We were not informed, we were not engaged, and we will not allow this construction to continue until our concerns are addressed,” Gikunju told the media during the protest.
The parents forced workers at the site to stop the construction and vacate the premises. They insisted that the Ministry of Education and the school board of management must be involved in such decisions, especially when they directly impact the learning environment.
Their concerns were compounded by fears linked to recent remarks by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who issued a controversial “shoot-to-kill” order against criminals. “How do you expect our children to concentrate in class when there are armed officers next door and such directives in place?” one parent questioned.
In response, Ndia MP George Kariuki dismissed the protests, stating that the project has been misrepresented. “We are not building a full-fledged police station,” said Kariuki. “This is a small police post meant to secure the ICT center that has been vandalized repeatedly. We want to safeguard government investment and ensure our children have access to uninterrupted digital learning.”
The MP further alleged that the protest was politically motivated, blaming what he called “an illiterate MCA” for inciting the parents. “This is a noble initiative that is being politicized unnecessarily,” he added.
The situation remains tense, with parents insisting on halting the project until proper stakeholder engagement is conducted. Meanwhile, education and security officials have been urged to intervene and mediate the standoff to ensure both learning and safety objectives are achieved harmoniously
