Community of Kakuyuni Boys Secondary School demand for transfer of Principal

The community of Kakuyuni Boys Secondary School in Malindi Sub County, Kilifi County, is demanding the immediate removal of the school principal, Rev. Alphonse Kaingu, due to allegations of mismanagement and a drop in academic performance.

Parents, students, and local leaders have accused the principal of allowing the school, which was once successful, to decline. They pointed out that the student enrollment has fallen from 800 when he took over to just 285 now.

During a heated meeting that included Sub-County Director of Education Rashid Roba Adan, Sub County TSC Director Jane Jinnah, Sub County TSC Human Resource Officer Josephine Bosibori, and Malindi Divisional Assistant County Commissioner Irene Munyoki, parents and local MP Amina Mnyazi criticized the principal’s leadership and called for swift action.

As chants of “aende, aende” (let him go!) filled the air, parent Samuel Katsole expressed that the school’s performance has suffered due to poor management of student discipline, with many students being sent home for minor infractions.

He noted that day scholars were particularly affected by these trivial disciplinary measures, making it difficult for them to achieve a mean grade of C (plain). He also mentioned that boarding students were not properly supervised during weekends, contributing to the mismanagement.

Ms. Mnyazi highlighted that numerous complaints had been made against the principal and urged for an investigation into his actions and a potential transfer. She shared that around 60 students had recently come to her office to voice their concerns about the principal, and several parents followed suit shortly after.

Having visited the school to present a Sh2 million donation from President William Ruto, Ms. Mnyazi stated she had formally written to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to lodge a complaint against the principal and request an investigation and possible transfer.

The MP criticized Mr. Kaingu for allegedly delaying the distribution of the funds promised by the President to the students. She claimed that he and some members of the school’s board had considered redirecting the money to a school project, despite it being intended for the students’ benefit.

“When the President visited last year, I asked him to provide lunch for the students who had braved the heat to welcome him. He promised Sh2 million, and while the funds were received, the principal has caused unnecessary delays,” Ms. Mnyazi stated.

She instructed that the funds be used to cover student fees, ensuring each student receives Sh7,000, which will be credited to their fee accounts starting Tuesday, with receipts sent to her office.

The MP also expressed her concern about the school’s declining academic performance and supported the community’s calls for the principal’s transfer.