Students at St. Mary’s Kibabii Boys High School in Bungoma County staged protests late on Monday, February 23, 2026, following the transfer of their Chief Principal, Nicodemus Ogeto.
The unrest reportedly began within the school compound before spilling onto nearby roads, with students expressing dissatisfaction over the reassignment of the principal to Goseta Boys High School.
The transfer is understood to be part of a routine reshuffle by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
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Witnesses said the demonstrations escalated into chaos, with students engaging in running battles with police officers who had been deployed to restore order.
Tear gas was reportedly fired in several areas around Kibabii, forcing residents in surrounding neighborhoods to remain indoors for safety.
Motorists were advised to avoid the busy Kanduyi–Chwele route during the height of the unrest as security agencies worked to contain the situation.
By around 8:00 p.m., tension remained high, with reports indicating that students were eventually required to vacate the school premises as authorities sought to stabilize the environment.
Principal Ogeto’s transfer has sparked strong emotions among learners who credit him with improving academic performance, expanding enrollment, and strengthening co-curricular achievements during his tenure at the national school.
Sources close to the institution suggest that beyond the routine TSC reshuffle, political undercurrents and local lobbying may have intensified resistance to the move.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that some local leaders had pushed for a change in leadership, with John Omurunga Wafula, previously serving at Goseta Boys, linked to the discussions.
The Bungoma Catholic Diocese, which has oversight ties to the institution, is said to have intervened in efforts to calm tensions and facilitate dialogue.
The incident mirrors a broader pattern seen in parts of Kenya, where school communities occasionally resist principal transfers, particularly when leaders are perceived to have delivered notable progress.
As of Tuesday morning, there was no official confirmation regarding injuries or arrests.
Local security and education officials are expected to issue further updates as investigations continue and calm returns to the school.
Authorities have urged students and community members to allow due process to take its course, emphasizing that TSC transfers are administrative decisions intended to enhance service delivery across institutions.