Rights Defenders Call for a Speedy Probe into Sodomy Cases at Aquinas High School

Human rights defenders and parents have demanded a probe into alleged cases of sodomy at Aquinas High School in Nairobi.

They want the principal to step down pending investigations into the matter even as they accused the school administration of trying to cover up and avoid taking responsibility for the incidents.

Cases of sodomy at the school came to light last week after it emerged that a Form One student was sexually assaulted before he attempted suicide.

Mary Kambo of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) says the boy’s parent called a teacher at the school on February 3rd to enquire about his well-being and send some pocket money. The parent was informed that her son was sent away from school due to fee arrears, which baffled the parent given that she had paid off fees in full.

“She wondered why the school did not communicate to inform her that her son had been released from school and the reason for doing so. When her son arrived at home, he was pale, sickly, and weak and looked extremely stressed,” Kambo said.

When the parent enquired whether he was okay, the son became teary and begged the parent that he be transferred to another school.  

“He refused to eat stating that he did not have an appetite. On further inquiry, the son amidst tears wrote on a foolscap how he was sodomized at the school,” Kambo said.

The principal denied the happening of such acts in the school, but could not explain why he sent the son home. “Shortly after, the principal sent messages to parents indicating that this information that was doing rounds on social media was untrue and a rumor,” the rights defenders said.

They claim that no action has been taken against the culprit who sodomized the victim.

 “We are concerned that minors are being subjected to such kind of humiliation, shame and pain that may affect them for the rest of their lives,” they added.