Siaya County, Kenya – June 3, 2025 — St. Mary’s Ukwala Boys’ High School in Ugenya sub-county has been closed indefinitely after students staged a protest on Monday evening, decrying the alleged poor quality of food served at the institution.

The unrest, which erupted around 8:00 p.m., saw students vandalize property, including classroom and office window panes, before marching to Ukwala town while chanting slogans against the school’s principal.

The protest was reportedly sparked by long-standing complaints about the quality of maize flour used in their meals.

Students claim their concerns about the food’s safety and suitability had been raised several times with the school administration but were consistently dismissed.

The protest, they say, was a last resort to highlight what they described as neglect of their welfare.

Following an emergency meeting convened on Tuesday morning by the school’s Board of Management, Siaya County Director of Education, Mr. Leonard Kabaki, announced the immediate closure of the school.

He stated that the shutdown would allow for investigations into the grievances and the damage caused.

Mr. Kabaki assured stakeholders that a thorough inquiry would be conducted to determine both the validity of the students’ claims and any administrative lapses.

He urged calm and patience as the Ministry of Education works to resolve the issue and restore normalcy.

No injuries were reported during the incident, but the school has sustained considerable property damage. Parents and guardians have been advised to await further communication on when learning will resume.