St Michael’s Secondary School in Bomet County has been closed indefinitely following a clash between students and teachers over confiscated mobile phones.
The chaos erupted on Thursday evening after teachers conducted a search in classrooms and discovered several hidden phones. The devices were seized, sparking outrage among students who immediately demanded their return. Tensions escalated into open confrontation, forcing the administration to close the school and send students home in a bid to restore calm.
This closure adds St Michael’s to a growing list of schools in the South Rift region that have experienced unrest in recent weeks. Just months earlier, Kaplong Girls High School was shut down indefinitely after a protest over alleged misconduct by a male teacher. The school’s principal, Claire Mitei, confirmed that the closure was meant to allow investigations into claims of repeated inappropriate behaviour.
The latest incident underscores a worrying trend. In the past few weeks, Kericho and Bomet counties have reported multiple cases of student strikes and riots. On September 22, Litein Boys’ High School was closed after students went on a rampage, setting parts of the school ablaze. The strike was reportedly triggered by the administration’s refusal to allow students to watch a highly anticipated English Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City.
Similarly, Kabungut Boys High School in Bomet was closed on September 24 after students staged protests over the quality and quantity of food served.
Education officials have expressed concern over the increasing frequency of such unrest, which not only disrupts learning but also poses risks to students’ safety and the reputation of institutions. Stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and county education boards, are now under pressure to find lasting solutions to address grievances before they spiral into destructive protests.
The Ministry of Education has yet to issue an official statement on the incident at St Michael’s, but local authorities are expected to step in and investigate the causes of the rising tension in schools across the region.
