Kakamega parents plea against Sh9,000 fine over dorm inferno
By Denis Lumiti
Parents of Kakamega High School students have appealed to the Education Ministry to ask the institution to lower the Sh9,823 penalty imposed on them over razing of a dormitory.
Several parents of Form Four students have turned away on Monday after the school remained adamant that they pay the entire amount to enable them to repair the dormitory and acquire other items lost in the inferno.
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Some said they were too poor to raise the money, while others insisted that their sons were innocent.
“I am even struggling to pay fees. My business has crumbled and I have nowhere to borrow any cash now. How will I even make it back to Kwale and back?” A parent said amid tears.
Form One, Two and Three students are expected back on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday respectively.
And Chavakali Boys in Vihiga has finally released a return to school programme beginning Tuesday. Learners were sent home indefinitely after destroying property.
Parents have been anxious after reports went round that their children may waste the entire term. But in a letter by John Kuria, the principal, the institution directed that the students would return in phases with Form One learners set to report back on Tuesday next week followed by their Form Two counterparts the following day.
Form Three learners will report back on Thursday and Friday while Form Four candidates are expected back on November 29 and 30 respectively.
Each student will pay Sh4,050 towards renovations and purchase of stolen and damaged items. The school has placed the total cost of damages at
Sh8,699,400.
“Upon assessment by the Public Works office, the Bill of Quantities for the burnt dormitory was Sh3,037,000,” said the principal
Others include damages to plumbing works at Sh338,600, doors and windows Sh3.1 million while vandalised and stolen items from the kitchen and store will cost Sh498,200.
Damages to the electrical system and gadgets will cost Sh349,596 while another Sh50,400 is needed to restock the school canteen.
Parents will have to pay Sh273,000 to replace stolen and destroyed equipment in offices and another Sh80,200 to repair vandalised vans.
They will further foot for the purchase of new 36 doubledecker beds at Sh540,000 and Sh439,200 for purchase of other damaged items belonging to students who slept in the affected dormitory
