Parents of learners at St. George’s Girls Senior School have raised concerns over what they describe as inappropriate body searches conducted during a drug screening exercise before the school closed on June 5.
According to several parents, some students were allegedly subjected to invasive searches by a female police officer, who they claim improperly touched the girls’ private parts without obtaining parental consent.
The parents say the incident has left many learners traumatised, particularly candidates preparing for their national examinations.
The school’s Chief Principal, Assumpta Mwangi, initially apologised to parents, explaining that the enhanced security measures were introduced following concerns raised after the fatal fire at Utumishi Girls Senior School.
In a subsequent statement, however, the school maintained that security screening would continue under established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aimed at safeguarding learners’ welfare. The administration added that no specific allegation of misconduct had been substantiated through its internal processes.
Patricia Yegon confirmed that the officer at the centre of the allegations is attached to the National Police Service K9 Unit, which had been invited by the school to conduct the screening exercise.
She said the matter has been formally reported and that investigations are underway to establish the facts surrounding the allegations.
While parents have acknowledged the need for drug screening in schools, they insist that such exercises must be conducted in a manner that respects students’ dignity, privacy and rights. They have called for accountability should investigations confirm any misconduct.
