Nairobi News

GeneralHustleMust ReadNewsWhat's Hot

Sonko fights for slay queens who have kids in boarding schools


Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has said that the move by the government to abolish boarding schools for Grade 1 to Grade 9 learners is a big blow to the children.

In his social media account, Sonko disagreed with the move saying it will impose danger to learners who come from abusive families.

“I disagree with the idea of the government abolishing primary boarding schools,” said Sonko.

He argues that boarding schools are a refuge and safest place for some children who come from chaotic families where they are subjected to torture.

Also read: EXCLUSIVE: Babu Owino – I walked out of a police cell into an exam room for my KCSE

“In my own opinion, I think the move is ill-advised. For some children, a boarding school is a best and safest place to be away from chaotic marriages, torture from stepfathers/mothers, uncles and aunts.”

The controversial politician also said that there are some mothers who do different hustling such as bringing multiple men into their house and this might affect the young learner.

“Not forgetting orphans. Also, single mothers and slay queens who are hustling normally bring different men/ uncles to their homes when their kids are away in boarding schools.

There’s no way I can criticise the same Government which I serve and fought for but I think there’s room for discussion and negotiation,” added Sonko.

His sentiments come just a few hours after the new Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang’ said that the government will from January 2023 do away with boarding primary schools for pupils learning in grades 1 to 9.

Also read: 5 Key lessons I have learnt in the last couple of months – Catherine Kasavuli

The net effect of the radical policy means that pupils transiting to Junior Secondary Schools will join day schools in their home areas.

“We must create a way in which we can be with our children and the only way is through day schooling. The first nine years of learning are Grades 1 to 9, the direction that the government is taking will be day schooling,” Kipsang’ said.

Already the government has ordered that JSS be domiciled at primary schools, meaning that pupils will continue schooling in their current schools – which will now have to be day schools.

Also read: Nasra Yusuf: My problems with Rashid started while we were still dating – Exclusive

Kipsang’ said that parents have the primary responsibility as first educators to walk with their children and ensure that they acquire the right values they desire them to have.

“We cannot outsource our responsibility as we parents, we only co-parent with teachers but we cannot outsource parenting from the teachers,” Kipsang’ said.

“Going forward, day schooling will be the direction, that’s the only way we shall be able to engage with our children.”

He revealed that Kenya has the highest percentage of its children globally in boarding schools, standing at 28 per cent.

He said this is against the global rate in most countries which stand at 15 per cent.

Also, read our top stories today:

Mind of a killer: How man plotted to rape and murder step sister

Watch: A week in the life of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino

How a Nairobi man was drugged and robbed after taking two women to his house

Slain Pakistan journalist’s host in Lavington named as a person of interest