Parents at Maliera Secondary School in Gem Subcounty, Siaya County, have raised concerns after the school allegedly asked boys to report back next Monday with KSh 2,000 each following an attempted arson incident that led to learners being sent home last week.

According to a parent who reached out, students were sent home after unrest at the school, with the parent saying the incident involved an attempted arson and the burning of 45 mattresses.

The parent claims 17 students were arrested in connection with the incident, and parents are now questioning why the entire student population is allegedly being asked to pay KSh 2,000 instead of the school explaining the criteria used to arrive at the amount.

“Hello Nyakundi. I am a parent at Maliera Secondary School in Siaya County, Gem Subcounty. Last week our kids were sent back home due to an attempted arson in the school. Today the school is sending us letters that the boys should report back next week Monday with KSh 2,000,” the parent said.

The parent argues that if suspects were identified and arrested, then the school should explain why the cost is being spread across all learners, especially at a time when many families are already struggling with school fees and other expenses.

“As parents, we are asking the criteria they used to charge us this amount if the culprits were arrested. Imagine a school population of 1,800 each paying KSh 2,000 yet it is only 45 mattresses that were burnt,” the parent added.

A simple calculation based on the parent’s claim of 1,800 learners paying KSh 2,000 each would raise about KSh 3.6 million, an amount parents say appears excessive if the damage involved 45 mattresses.

The parent now wants the school administration to explain the basis of the charge, the actual value of the damage, whether insurance or school funds are involved, and why all parents should pay if those allegedly responsible for the incident have already been identified.

The complaint also raises broader questions about how schools respond to unrest and whether some institutions are using such incidents to impose blanket charges on parents without full transparency.

Parents say they understand that school property must be protected and damaged items replaced, but they want accountability on how figures are arrived at and how collected money will be used.

The Ministry of Education and the Siaya County education office should look into the matter and establish whether the alleged KSh 2,000 charge is justified, whether proper approval was obtained, and whether parents were given a clear breakdown of the cost.

For many families, KSh 2,000 is not a small amount, especially when parents are already struggling with fees, transport, uniforms and basic household expenses.

Maliera Secondary School’s management is mentioned in the complaint and should explain the matter to parents clearly.

This is a developing story.