20 Schoolgirls Sent Home for 'Kissing' Boys

More than 20 girls from a secondary school in Murang'a county have been suspended for allegedly dancing and kissing their colleagues from a visiting school. The students of Ruchu Girls High School in Kandara district were suspended for two weeks on Tuesday by their principal following the weekend incident.

Yesterday, the Star learnt that during the function attended by several other schools, loud music was played in the hall. The girls are said to have joined their colleagues for dancing. Some of the parents accused the school management of allowing loud music to be played in the school.

"Under normal circumstances, music attracts any sober person. The principal should tell us why she allowed dancing in the school compound while boys were there instead of victimising the students," said a parent. Sources said the suspended students were on Monday and Tuesday subjected to severe punishment and denied access to classrooms before they were handed suspension letters.

In the suspension letter dated March 18 signed by EN Mwaura for the principal, P Makara, the parents were told that their daughters were sent home over gross indiscipline during a journalism club function.

They are to resume on March 27 and face the school disciplinary committee. Kandara District Education Officer Kamau Ruitha said the students were suspended due to indiscipline.

"The information I have received from the school is that the students were found dancing and kissing with the boys over the weekend," Ruitha said.

He said when they resume, they will be grilled to shed more light on what happened during the incident. Last year, a number of students from the school were sent home for allegedly being lesbians.