Parents at the Eldoret Special School for the Intellectually Challenged have raised alarm over what they allege is sexual exploitation of their children by persons entrusted to take care of them.
Some of the parents claim the exploitation is being perpetuated by top officials at the school. They spoke when they stormed the school as they demanded action over the matter.
“Our children are being violated sexually, and we have evidence. My child was defiled, and I went to the hospital before reporting the matter to the police. But when I raised the matter with the school, they claimed she may have been defiled on the road,” said Elizabeth Wanjiku, a parent.
Similar sentiments were shared by other parents, among them Irene Limo and Regine Ego, who accused the school of covering up cases of violations against the learners who are intellectually challenged.
“Hizi vitu zinafanyika lakini shule inakanyagia chini,” Regina told journalists at the school.
Are children at Eldoret Special School safe?
Other parents admitted that the rampant cases of sexual violations had forced them to remain with the children at home. Aside from sexual violations, the parents also accused the school of arbitrarily increasing fees and serving their children poor meals.
They demanded action from the Ministry of Health over the issues.
“If you give my child githeri, how will that help him? If those are the kinds of meals children get here, it means there are bigger issues that need to be addressed; that is why they keep making noise here at the gate,” said Jane Cheruiyot, a parent.
“A school like this has sponsors; it also gets financial support from the government. Why is it that they keep raising fees yet the children are not being treated well as expected?” asked another parent.
Ainabkoi Sub-County Director of Education Kenneth Wesonga admitted that his office had received complaints about the issues raised and that investigations had already been done.
Wesonga said a team of quality assurance had already visited the school and a report shared with the Ministry of Education officials in Nairobi.
“Auditors were also here, and the report is out. We will soon call a meeting with parents, and the findings will be made public. For now, I want to request calmness amongst parents,” the education official said.
