Ambira High Parents Face Hefty Fine Amid Contested Strike Narratives
UGUNJA — Parents of students at Ambira High School face a mandatory Ksh 33,000 penalty fee following recent student unrest. School administrators claim the strike caused Ksh 50 million in infrastructure damage, a figure currently disputed by online commentators alleging the protests were entirely peaceful.
Administration Cites Ksh 50 Million in Damages
According to an administrative memo issued by the school’s Board of Management and the Principal, the institution was closed after students seriously damaged school property. An assessment report allegedly prepared by the Department of Public Works estimates the destruction at Ksh 50 million.
To recover the costs, the school administration has levied a flat rate penalty of Ksh 33,000 per student. The official communication mandates that parents deposit the funds into a designated KCB bank account or through an M-Pesa paybill number. Parents must present the payment slips when returning their children during a newly announced phased reopening.
Conflicting Accounts of the Unrest
The official narrative faces intense public scrutiny following a viral social media post by education commentator Mwalimu Amunga. Amunga claims the students engaged in a peaceful walkout to protest alleged homosexuality at the institution, rather than a destructive riot.
“They didn’t damage anything in the school,” Amunga stated in the post, directly challenging the Board of Management’s Ksh 50 million damage assessment. This alternative account has sparked widespread public debate regarding the justification of the heavy financial burden placed on parents.
Strict Readmission Protocols
Despite the conflicting reports, the school is proceeding with strict readmission requirements. Returning students must be accompanied by their parents or guardians and provide physical proof of the Ksh 33,000 payment. The massive discrepancy between the official damage report and civilian claims continues to fuel tension among parents, local leaders, and education stakeholders across the region.