Nyabisase School closed indefinitely as detectives launch probe into unrest

Police in Nyamache have pitched camp at Nyabisase Secondary School as investigations intensify into the violent unrest that rocked the institution on Monday.

School administrators are now counting losses running into millions of shillings following the five-hour rampage.

More than 50 CCTV cameras were destroyed by students in what school officials believe was a deliberate attempt to conceal their identities and frustrate investigations.

Citizen TV visited the institution where stones used during the fierce confrontation are still scattered across the compound.

The school, home to more than 3,500 students, now stands deserted. Classrooms that only a day ago were full of learners are empty, with destruction evident almost everywhere.

School officials say the classrooms housed boys who allegedly engaged teachers in a running battle, hurling stones for nearly five hours without relenting.

The chairman of the school's Board of Management, Elijah Ombwori, says the dispute stemmed from the posting of a new principal to the institution.

"In the morning, the boys were supposed to attend the parade but they refused. The teachers asked for reinforcement from the police and, given the large student population, the boys started throwing stones. They didn't want the incoming principal to take over,” said Ombwori.

Videos recorded during Monday's unrest showed several students covering their faces with pieces of paper.

School officials now believe the students deliberately concealed their identities before vandalising more than 50 CCTV cameras installed across the institution.

"They were covering their faces. The school has CCTV cameras which they vandalised, and the investigative agencies are going to unearth what happened,” he added.

The Board chairman further says some of the students attempted to force their way into the girls' dormitories.

The level of damage at the institution is massive and, according to the school management, the angry students broke into one of the school's stores, accessed farm tools, used them to destroy the main entrance to one of the dormitories before setting it ablaze.

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations continue combing through the scene in search of any surviving footage or evidence that could help identify those responsible for the destruction of school property.

For now, the school remains closed to allow investigations to continue.