Kibera lobby calls for action on ethnic discrimination report at Kajiado school

The Nubian Rights Forum, a grassroots human rights-based organisation championing the welfare of the minority Nubian community wants the Ministry of Education to immediately act on a report on ethnic discrimination at Isinya Boys High School in Kajiado County.

The organisation's Executive Director Shafi Ali Hussein said that in July, their lobby uncovered incidents of discrimination targeting non-Maasai students and staff.

"As advocates for equality, we believe that every child, regardless of ethnicity, has the right to a safe and inclusive education," Hussein said.

According to Hussein, their organisation's investigation found that students and staff at Isinya Boys High School were subjected to unequal treatment based on ethnicity.

Following their findings, the lobby raised the issue with the Ministry of Education's Principal Secretary, Prof. Belio Kipsang', and has since reviewed the ministry's investigation report obtained by The Eastleigh Voice.

"While the report addresses some issues, several critical concerns remain unresolved, allowing discrimination to persist. The Nubian Rights Forum has also engaged with the Cabinet Secretary for Education and the Teachers Service Commission, urging them to take immediate action to correct the situation and ensure an inclusive learning environment," said Hussein.

Annete Opiyo, an official of the lobby said they are now calling on the board of management at Isinya Boys High School to conduct awareness programmes for staff and students on the importance of inclusivity and mutual respect, regardless of ethnic background.

"We want the school management to promote unity and understanding within the diverse student body as they ensure that leadership opportunities are available to all students, irrespective of ethnicity, through fair and transparent election processes," said Opiyo.

The organisation is also calling on the school to implement a language policy that recognises both Kiswahili and English as official languages of instruction while encouraging linguistic diversity.

Complaints of the organisation came following the mistreatment of students of Nubian ethnicity and those affiliated with the Islamic religion in the school.

On Wednesday, Amina Aminala, 63, narrated to the Eastleigh Voice how her grandchild at the school came back home abruptly while agonizing over the open discrimination extended to him based on his religion and ethnicity.

Amina Aminala, flanked by The Nubian Rights Forum official Annette Opiyo. Amina's grandchild who is a student at Isinya Boys High School allegedly faced ethnic and religious discrimination. (Photo: Barack Oduor)

"My grandchild at the school came home saying that all his belongings had been confiscated from him by colleagues who discriminated against him based on his religion and ethnicity. We want the school management to ensure that this never happens," said Amina.

In her view, the school principal should be transferred to instil confidence among parents and students. In the report by the ministry of education on the happenings in the school, this is not the first incident bordering on ethnic discrimination.

"A similar incident of ethnic animosity targeting non- Maasai teachers had occurred in the year 2021 and a teacher was injured. Drug and substance abuse was reported through oral and written submissions by learners. The porous fence allowed for trafficking of the drugs into the school compound," the report notes in part.

In the Ministry of Education's recommendations, the Teachers Service Commission should post non-local principal with a good track record in secondary school administration to unite the members of the school community regardless of their tribal or religious affiliation.

"The Teachers Service Commission should transfer the principal, Stephen Oseur Lekasi, to a cosmopolitan school outside Kajiado County," notes the report.