Kigama Friends High School in Vihiga Faces Closure as Enrollment Drops to 129 Students
Kigama Friends High School in Sabatia, Vihiga County faces possible closure after student enrollment dropped to approximately 121-129 students, sparking fears over the institution's future.
The Board of Management and the entire Kigama High School fraternity have raised concerns over the institution's declining student population, urging the Ministry of Education not to shut down the school.
Current Enrollment Crisis
The school currently has a total enrollment of approximately 121-129 students across all forms, a situation that has sparked fears over its future viability.
This represents a critical low for an institution that was once considered a proud beacon of academic excellence in Sabatia, Vihiga County.
Board of Management Pleads With Ministry of Education
The Board of Management is now pleading with the Ministry of Education not to close the school after recording low admission of students in recent years.
According to information shared on social media, the Board has formally communicated their concerns to education authorities, requesting intervention to save the school from closure.
Allegations of Years of Mismanagement
The enrollment crisis comes amid serious allegations of mismanagement that have plagued the school for years.
One concerned citizen, who spoke about Kigama Senior School last year, said they raised an alarm over mismanagement, poor results, and other issues.
"I advised the leadership and our MP to intervene and save the school... Nothing happened. Now the school is almost headed for closure," the individual stated on social media.
Social media posts describe the situation as follows: "Years of mismanagement have taken a heavy toll, causing student enrollment to plummet to a critical low of just approximately 130 students."
- Location: Sabatia, Vihiga County
- Current Enrollment: Approximately 121-129 students (across all forms)
- Status: Facing possible closure
- Key Concern: Years of alleged mismanagement
- Board Action: Pleading with Ministry of Education to intervene
Community Call for Intervention
Alumni and community members are now calling for urgent action to save the school.
"We cannot stand by and watch a school with such a rich legacy fade away," one social media post stated.
"We call upon all Vihiga County leaders, education stakeholders, alumni, and community members to step in, demand accountability, and rescue this sinking ship before it is too late. Our children's future depends on the action we take today."
The appeal has gained traction on social media platforms, with residents expressing concern about the potential closure of a school that has shaped countless bright futures over the years.
Broader Context: Schools Facing Closure Across Kenya
The Kigama Friends High School situation reflects a broader national crisis affecting secondary schools across Kenya.
More than 3,000 secondary schools that attracted few or no Grade 10 learners face an uncertain future following the first Senior School transition under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Education officials are facing a fresh crisis over the fate of more than 3,000 secondary schools that either failed to attract Grade 10 learners or admitted only a handful of students during the first Senior School transition.
The Ministry of Education has acknowledged the challenge, with Education Cabinet Secretary previously revealing that schools with very low enrollment may face closure or merger with other institutions.
However, the CS said the ministry will not close such schools in the North-Eastern region due to its vast geographic area.
CBC Senior School Transition Impact
The transition to CBC senior schools has significantly impacted secondary school enrollment across Kenya.
According to the Ministry of Education, learners began selecting their preferred schools, pathways and subject combinations on August 24, 2026, with the exercise expected to run until September 11.
The placement process affects thousands of learners preparing to transition to Grade 10 in 2027.
Under the CBC system, secondary schools are categorized into different tiers (C1, C2, C3, C4), with elite national schools, sub-national schools, county schools and community schools.
Schools that fail to attract sufficient Grade 10 learners during the selection process risk falling below viable enrollment thresholds.
What Needs to Happen
Education stakeholders and community members are calling for several interventions to save Kigama Friends High School:
- Ministry of Education Intervention — The Board of Management has formally requested the Ministry of Education to intervene and prevent closure. This may involve temporary suspension of closure plans while the school develops a recovery strategy, assignment of education officials to assess the situation, potential merger or clustering with nearby schools, and support for marketing and recruitment efforts.
- Leadership and Accountability — Concerned citizens have called for leadership intervention, including from the area MP. This may involve investigation into allegations of mismanagement, restructuring of the Board of Management if necessary, implementation of transparent governance and financial management systems, and regular reporting to stakeholders on school performance and enrollment.
- Community and Alumni Mobilization — Alumni and community members are being urged to step in and support the school. This may include alumni associations organizing fundraising and awareness campaigns, community outreach to prospective students and parents, partnerships with local businesses and organizations, and mentorship programmes to improve academic performance.
- Marketing and Recruitment — The school needs to actively market itself to attract more students. This may involve highlighting the school's historical achievements, showcasing current academic and co-curricular strengths, engaging with primary schools in Sabatia and surrounding areas, and participating in CBC senior school selection fairs.
- Academic and Co-Curricular Improvement — To attract and retain students, the school must demonstrate excellence. This may involve investment in teacher training, improvement of infrastructure, strengthening co-curricular programmes, and regular monitoring of academic performance.
What Happens Next
The Ministry of Education has not yet issued an official statement specifically on Kigama Friends High School's situation.
The school's fate will likely depend on:
- The Ministry's response to the Board of Management's plea
- Enrollment numbers for the next academic year
- Whether the school can attract sufficient Grade 10 learners during the CBC selection process
- Intervention efforts by education stakeholders, alumni and the community
Education officials typically assess schools with low enrollment on a case-by-case basis, considering factors such as geographic location and accessibility, historical performance and community significance, potential for recovery with intervention, and availability of alternative schools in the area.
- Contact education authorities: Write to the Ministry of Education, Vihiga County Education Office, and the school's Board of Management expressing support for the school.
- Spread awareness: Share information about the school's situation on social media and within community networks.
- Support enrollment: Encourage eligible students in the area to consider Kigama Friends High School during CBC senior school selection.
- Alumni engagement: If you are an alumni, reconnect with the school and participate in rescue efforts.
- Demand accountability: Call for transparent investigation into mismanagement allegations and implementation of corrective measures.
Broader Implications for Vihiga County
The Kigama Friends High School situation has broader implications for education in Vihiga County.
Education stakeholders and administrators in Sabatia Sub-County have already raised alarm over persistently low enrollment of local students in tertiary institutions, warning that the trend threatens the county's future economic stability and development.
During a meeting at the Sabatia Sub-County Headquarters, KMTC lecturer Dr James Sure presented figures showing that only 13 students from Vihiga were among 197 graduates in a recent cohort at KMTC Vihiga in Mbale.
Chiefs in Sabatia, Vihiga County, have been tasked with leading a grassroots campaign to increase enrollment in colleges and technical and vocational institutions.
The closure of secondary schools like Kigama Friends High School would further exacerbate the education crisis in the region, potentially limiting access to secondary education for students in Sabatia and surrounding areas.
For official information on the school's status and Ministry of Education decisions, residents are advised to follow announcements from the Ministry of Education, Vihiga County Education Office, and the school's Board of Management.
Share Your Thoughts
We would like to hear from you.
- What can be done to save Kigama Friends High School from closure?
- How should allegations of mismanagement be investigated and addressed?
- What role should alumni and the community play in supporting struggling schools in Vihiga County?
For official updates or emergency assistance, residents are advised to contact the relevant authorities.