Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has called for urgent investigations following the indefinite closure of St. George’s Girls Secondary School in Nairobi.

The school was shut on Monday, September 8, 2025, after a night of unrest where students staged a strike over alleged rampant corporal punishment, spilling onto the streets in a dramatic protest.

In a statement shared on X, Passaris expressed concern about the disruption to education and the toll on families, urging all stakeholders to uphold learner safety and dignity.

“I am concerned by the indefinite closure of St. George’s Girls-Nairobi and the disruption to learners and families. I urge all stakeholders to cooperate with investigations and ensure the safety, dignity, and rights of our children are upheld. While every educator deserves training and support to uphold the highest level of professional standards, every child deserves a safe and nurturing learning environment,” she wrote.

Night of chaos

The unrest began late on Sunday, September 7, 2025, when students forced open the school gate, poured onto the streets, and marched in groups, chanting protest songs and blocking motorists until after midnight. Shocked Kilimani residents reported “noise and confusion,” with one saying it looked as though the learners were unwilling to return to the compound.

By dawn, parents arriving at the school found uniformed officers stationed at the entrance while administrators held tense meetings with government officials. Several students, expecting the institution to be shut, were seen leaving with their belongings.

Authorities step in

Dagoretti North Sub-County Commissioner Juma, accompanied by Kilimani OCPD Patricia Yegon, confirmed the government’s decision to close the school indefinitely.

“The safety of the learners is paramount. The school will remain closed until further notice, and parents will be updated on the next steps,” Juma said after consultations with the school’s board and staff. Parents expressed relief that no student was injured during the chaotic scenes, but concerns remain over the triggers behind the strike.

Education sector concerns

The closure adds to a growing list of school unrest incidents in Kenya. Only days earlier, all boarding schools in Gatundu South were ordered shut following a wave of arson attacks. Reports of corporal punishment and student grievances continue to spotlight weaknesses in school management and teacher training.

As investigations proceed, Passaris’ call for a probe underscores a wider push to safeguard learning institutions and restore calm, ensuring learners can return to safe, supportive environments.