The leadership crisis at Nyali Primary School took a violent turn on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, as former Board of Management (BOM) Chairman Benjamin Gitonga reportedly slapped a parent in front of police officers.
This incident occurred after High Court Judge Hon. Lady Justice Olga Akech Sewe controversially reinstated the current longstanding board, which has stubbornly refused to step down after eight years in office, far exceeding the two-year maximum term limit.
Both parents and school staff have widely criticised this decision. Parents say that unless the old board at Nyali School steps down, all activities will remain paralysed.
The old board is allegedly selling off an adjacent piece of land that belongs to the school and even constructing flats on it.
This land is at the heart of the ongoing conflict. Deflated school buses blocked the school’s gates on Tuesday evening to prevent access.
Staff members have now joined the fray and are demanding overdue payments, resulting in a complete halt in learning activities. Most parents have decided to keep their children at home.
The longstanding board at Nyali School in Mombasa, which has controversially refused to step down after eight years in office—far exceeding the two-year maximum term limit—has paralysed learning activities this week.
On Tuesday, the school barred parents from entering the premises, forcing them to park outside and walk their children to class.
There was more chaos at Nyali Primary School as the Mombasa Parents Club criticised the old board for refusing to step down after eight years in office, which significantly exceeded the two-year maximum term limit.
This prolonged tenure has allegedly led to the school’s decline, with accusations that board members are exploiting their positions for financial gain.
According to reports, police officers enforced this restrictive measure, receiving handouts from the board and stationing at the school as early as 5:30 a.m.
The situation has been tumultuous for the past two to three weeks, with frequent clashes between the old board and concerned parents.
According to parents, the once-proud institution is now confronting a litany of issues, including filthy conditions in the canteen and kitchen, uninspected school buses, and dilapidated desks, chairs, and toilets. These poor sanitary conditions have reportedly led to urinary tract infections among students.
The scandal at Nyali Primary School highlights the urgent need for accountability and a return to proper governance. Parents are demanding that the board adhere to term limits and focus on restoring the school’s legacy.