NAIROBI, Kenya — Parents of students at St George’s Girls Senior School have protested what they describe as invasive and inappropriate body searches conducted on learners during a security screening exercise, demanding accountability from both the school administration and the National Police Service.
The controversy emerged as students resumed learning on Monday following the school’s temporary closure earlier this month amid heightened concerns over school unrest.
According to several parents, students returning home after the June 5 closure described being subjected to intimate body searches by a woman identified as a police officer during a security operation conducted on the school compound.
One parent, who requested anonymity, alleged that his daughter reported the officer conducted the search without gloves and touched students’ private parts.
“My daughter pulled her mother aside and told her that a woman had searched their bodies at the school’s tuck shop. She did not have gloves, and she put her fingers in their private parts. That could expose the children to illnesses. What an insult,” the parent said.
Another parent claimed only selected students were subjected to the searches as authorities looked for drugs.
“They cherry-picked certain children and subjected them to a drug search done by a woman purporting to be a police officer who touched their private parts,” the parent alleged.
Parents also questioned the unusual reporting procedures when students returned to school on Monday, noting that security guards rather than teachers were directing arrivals, while police officers were present within the compound.
Several parents believe the absence of teachers during reporting may have been linked to complaints raised over the searches.
Initially, Chief Principal Assumpta Mwangi issued a message apologising for distress caused during the security exercise, saying the measures had been authorised following heightened safety concerns after the deadly fire at Utumishi Girls Senior School.
“When I authorised the measures that preceded the release of students on June 5, my foremost responsibility was to ensure that no risk, however small, was left unattended,” the principal wrote.
“I acknowledge that some of the processes and actions undertaken caused discomfort, concern or distress to some students and parents. If that was your experience, I am truly sorry.”
However, a subsequent statement issued after consultations between the school’s Board of Management, Parents Association executive and alumni association struck a different tone.
The school defended continued security screening but said future operations would follow clear Standard Operating Procedures designed to protect learners’ dignity.
The statement also maintained that although various allegations had circulated, no specific case of misconduct had been substantiated to warrant administrative action.
Parents have rejected that position, insisting they never consented to invasive searches.
“One child said they were told their parents had given consent, and we never did that. What happened was retrogressive, barbaric, uncalled for and outdated,” another parent said, calling for criminal investigations into those responsible.
Kilimani Sub-County Police Commander Patricia Yegon confirmed that the officer involved is attached to the National Police Service.
“The school is under the jurisdiction of Kileleshwa Police Station. They have an arrangement with the specialised K9 unit to conduct searches at the school. The incident concerning the conduct of the officer has been reported to police, and it is under investigation,” Yegon said.
Parents have expressed concern over the psychological impact on candidates preparing for national examinations, arguing the incident has undermined students’ wellbeing just months before they sit their final exams.
The incident adds to previous controversy at the school. In December 2025, the institution was temporarily closed after students staged protests following allegations that a teacher had physically assaulted a learner during disciplinary action.
Investigations into the latest allegations are ongoing, with parents demanding transparency and accountability from both the school administration and law enforcement authorities.