A road reserve reclamation initiative has sparked widespread concern among parents and teachers in Kisumu after city officials demolished perimeter fences at three public primary schools, leaving them vulnerable.
Arya Primary School, M.M Shah Primary School and Lake Primary School have functioned without protective barriers since the second term commenced, creating what stakeholders call a hazardous and unsettling atmosphere for numerous students.
School authorities and guardians now caution that the removal of these barriers has left children susceptible to unrestricted entry by outsiders, heightened insecurity, and possible criminal activities amid Kenya’s ongoing struggle with increasing reports of missing children.
Although the county government has received praise for reclaiming public road spaces, the affected schools criticize officials for inadequate planning, insufficient consultation, and leaving institutions unprotected following the demolition work.
Several school administrators assert they received insufficient notification and were not meaningfully involved prior to the commencement of the demolition exercise.
Following the removal of the fences, urgent pleas from parents, educators, and school management boards have allegedly been ignored, with no temporary installations put in place and no definitive timeline provided for when the schools will be secured.
The lack of response from responsible officials has intensified parental anxiety, with many fearing that an unfortunate incident might happen without immediate remedial measures.
The demolition has rendered school grounds completely accessible, with educators reporting difficulties in maintaining discipline, security, and student focus in the open environment.
“We no longer have the assurance and tranquility that an enclosed educational setting provides,” one worried parent expressed.
At Arya Primary School, conditions have grown so concerning that the school bus was relocated due to worries about potential vandalism and theft.
Educators now report to work with apprehension, particularly during early morning and late evening hours when monitoring school perimeters becomes challenging.
The institutions have consequently been compelled to add extra flood lighting and employ additional security personnel to address mounting safety concerns, yet parents argue these measures are insufficient substitutes for the security provided by perimeter fences.
These concerns arise amidst troubling national data regarding missing children.
Missing Child Kenya reports documented at least 158 cases of missing children by March of the current year, with numerous cases remaining unresolved. Additional statistics reveal that thousands of disappearances were recorded nationwide throughout 2024, highlighting increasing apprehensions about child safety in public areas.
Guardians now contend that maintaining schools in such vulnerable conditions constitutes risking the wellbeing of children.
Moreover, the issue has unfortunately drawn attention-seeking political rhetoric from opportunistic figures, resulting in a standoff between politicians and ministry authorities.
On April 30th, Kisumu Central Member of Parliament Dr. Joshua Oron issued a statement on his official social media platform that appeared to address the security concerns at the affected schools. Subsequent events, however, revealed that the declaration was merely another example of political posturing.
“I have carefully considered the concerns expressed by parents and teachers regarding the damage to MM. Shah Comprehensive School, Lake Comprehensive School and Arya Comprehensive School resulting from the Police Line Back Street Road expansion,” Oron stated. “Following discussions with my team, I have taken decisive action and allocated resources to reconstruct the damaged fences and sanitation facilities. I will guarantee that these schools remain safe, secure, and optimal for learning environments,” Oron added.
No concrete actions have materialized since that announcement.
In addition to security issues, the demolition work has impeded access to the educational facilities.
Substantial piles of debris remaining along the reclaimed areas obstruct school entry points, complicating movement for parents, students, and vehicles transporting children.
Motorcycles and private cars transporting young learners have allegedly been left vulnerable and unable to pass through sections rendered inaccessible by the rubble.
The circumstances have been compounded by stagnant water accumulating near the demolished zones, sparking concerns about potential disease outbreaks, mosquito breeding, and other public health hazards that could impact students.
Guardians additionally worry that the open school grounds might lead to increased incidents of unauthorized entry, theft of school property, drug sales near students, physical assaults, child kidnappings, and traffic accidents involving children who can now freely access busy roadways.
Educators caution that without prompt action, the institutions remain susceptible to nighttime vandalism and intrusion by criminal groups.
Parents now criticize officials for not recognizing the delicate nature of educational environments, maintaining that schools should never face sudden demolitions without proper safety alternatives being established first.
“This involves more than just the removal of barriers. It’s about putting children at risk,” another parent emphasized.
Educational advocates assert that perimeter fences constitute essential school infrastructure, functioning as the primary safeguard against unauthorized entry, violence, theft, and external dangers.
They are now calling for immediate county government intervention, encompassing urgent debris removal, installation of provisional barriers, and collaborative discussions with affected institutions to develop a permanent resolution.
Currently, education proceeds in unsecured compounds overshadowed by apprehension, with parents contemplating whether the next individual entering school premises might present a threat for which no precautions exist.