Schools suspend learning as fuel price demos hit Nairobi

A number of private schools across Nairobi on Monday remained closed following demonstrations over rising fuel prices.

The demos disrupted transportation services across the city on Monday, limiting movement.

Many parents said they received text messages from respective schools asking them not to send their children to school due to safety concerns.

“I could not send my children to school after I was informed that the school bus would not operate Monday due to the demos,” said Vincent Kamau, a parent at a private school in Embakasi.

Another parent, James Kiragu, said he could not risk sending his five-year-old daughter to school due to the planned demonstrations.

“I thank the school for choosing to be cautious, because the roads may not safe during such demonstrations,” said Kiragu.

Several roads in the city were on Monday blocked with stones and bonfires as protesters took to the streets to express their disaffection.

Parents who had sent their children to school Monday morning, had to pick them up, many expressing concern over the safety of their children amid the unrest.

A school bus driver, Victor Musyoka, said many drivers feared getting caught in the demonstrations. 

The demos left streets and roads inaccessible with reports of vehicles being attacked.

A private school administrator told Wananchi Reporting the decision was taken purely as a safety precaution after transport services were heavily disrupted.