A parent in Makueni County is crying for justice after her daughter was sent home from St. Alebertina Girls High School in Kiongwani, Wote for allegedly possessing PK chewing gum — and slapped with an eye-watering KSh 16,800 fine.
The stunned parent says school officials claimed the amount was to “buy each student three PK gums” in retaliation for the single pack found with her child.
According to the parent, she was first summoned to the school and the student disciplined, but the girl was later sent home again — this time with a demand to pay the penalty or risk missing classes.
“I’m struggling to pay school fees. Where will I get an extra sixteen thousand shillings for chewing gum? I’m begging the Teachers Service Commission and the government to intervene,” the distraught parent pleaded.
The bizarre punishment has sparked outrage among locals, with many questioning whether the disciplinary action is excessive and illegal.
Calls are now mounting for an urgent probe into the school’s administration and the alleged fine, which critics describe as “daylight extortion disguised as discipline.”
