This archive report was first published on 6 November 2019.
Published on November 6, 2019, a story emerged about three Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates at Moi Girls' High School in Eldoret who were kicked out of the school and forced to spend their nights in a lodging during the exam period.
The students, who travel to the school from the guest house every morning to do the national exams and return in the evening, denied being indisciplined and accused the school's administration of discriminating against them.
Two of the girls claimed they were accused of being indisciplined and were expelled last week, while the third one said she was sent home in second term.
One of the students, who was accused of harassing a prefect, stated, 'I was accused of harassing a prefect and now I feel depressed because I feel bad being away from school.'
Another student, who was expelled from school during second term, said she was found in possession of a fruit knife and accused of bullying, stating, 'I was expelled because I was found in possession of a fruit knife and was accused of bullying.'
The third girl claimed she was expelled after bhang was found in her bag and stated, 'I requested for a drug test but the principal could hear none of it. She took me to a police station, accompanied by some teachers and a security guard, where I spent the night.'
Uasin Gishu County Director of Education Gitonga Mbaka confirmed that his office was investigating the matter, stating, 'We are already investigating claims of alleged mistreatment of the three Moi Girls' High School KCSE candidates, expect to hear from us on Wednesday.'
Principal of the school Ms Christine Chumba barred journalists from accessing the school, directing the guards to keep away the reporters who were following up the story.
A parent of one of the girls accused the school of failing to give the students a fair hearing before punishing them, stating, 'They should have been given a fair punishment instead of sending them away.'
