On February 3, 2026, Njoro Girls Senior School in Nakuru County was closed indefinitely following intense student unrest triggered by the death of an 18-year-old Form Four student, Brenda Akinyi.Â
Brenda died while receiving treatment at Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital after reportedly falling ill at school. Her family alleges she was unwell for several days and was only given painkillers before her condition became critical.
The school administration ordered the indefinite closure to prevent property destruction after students and local residents staged protests. Police were deployed to disperse crowds and manage a brief standoff at the school gates.
The victim’s family, including her brother Allan Otieno, criticized the school for failing to notify them promptly, despite living a short distance away. They also claim medical attention was delayed.
The Nakuru County Director of Education has denied claims of negligence, stating that preliminary records indicate the student had a prior history of illness.
Community members noted this is the second similar tragedy at the school in three years, following the 2023 death of another student, Whitney Njoki.Â
An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, to establish the exact cause of death as investigations continue.
By Anthony Solly
