Students at Lugulu Girls High School in Webuye Constituency in Bungoma County went on strike yesterday to demonstrating about the high rates of rape incidents occurring inside their dormitories at night. The students alleged that one of their colleagues was recently defiled but the school administrators failed to take action to prevent the sexual assault from happening again in the future.
The student was raped on Saturday morning while she was taking a bath before the morning classes. She screamed hence prompting other students to come to her aid. The student was then taken to the School’s Sick Bay where she was given first aid.
The rapist fled the scene after the commotion ensued at the school premises on Saturday morning.
On Monday, the 306 Lugulu Girls High School students walked from their school compound to Webuye Police Station where they demanded the arrest of the perpetrator. They tried to block the busy Webuye-Kitale Highway with twigs and leaves but their efforts were unsuccessful.
During the demonstration, the students did not adhere to the Ministry of Health directive meant to curb the spread of the deadly Coronavirus infections in the country. This involved failure to observe social distancing and wearing masks.
The occurrence of sexual assault in Kenyan schools has attracted harsh criticism and condemnation from various political leaders in the country. These criticisms are mainly directed at the school administrators who fail to protect especially female students in boarding schools.
For example, nominated MP Gideon Keter said on Twitter: “Police should move with speed & arrest this crooks who raped a girl in Lugulu Girls High School in Bungoma County. The school management is failing, if they have to wait until students protest. MOE (Ministry of Education) should not wait for the media for them to act.”
Lugulu Girls High School: Academic Profile
Lugulu Girls High School is one of the top performers in the entire Western Province region. The School Institution Type is classified as – Ordinary. This Secondary School has an enrollment of 1128 students with a student teacher ratio of 21.7 and a total teaching staff of 52 teachers. The school premises sits on a 12 acre land. It is now ranked among National Schools due to its outstanding performance.
Lugulu Girls High School’s sponsorship is listed as a Religious Organization. The school was established by missionaries in 1913 when Quaker Missionaries landed in Lugulu town with early converts being taught to read cloth charts.
Notable Former Students of This School
Dr. Reginalda Wanyonyi and the former Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza all attended Lugulu Girls High School. Also, Lady Justice Ruth Sitati and Roselyn Nambuye were students at this institution. Worth mentioning too is the beauty queen and 2010 finalist of the M-Net Face of Africa competition Diana Nekoye and NTV journalist Mercy Juma.
Lugulu Girls High School Achievement
- The school was upgraded to a National School in 2012
- Ranked 10th in the 2004 KCSE exams
- Volleyball National Champions back to back between 2005-2010
- Produced top best KCSE girl nationally in 1996
- 3rd best KCSE candidate nationally in 2016
Watch the video below showing the Lugulu Girls High School striking:
