St. Kizito | |
---|---|
Location | |
Coordinates | 0°21′36″N 37°34′48″E / 0.3599°N 37.5800°E |
Information | |
Established | 1968 |
Closed | 1991 |
Headmaster | James Laiboni |
Age | 14 to 18 |
Enrollment | 577 |
St. Kizito was a coeducational boarding secondary school[1] in Kenya in Akithii Location, Meru County. It was named for Saint Kizito.
The school was established as an all-boys school in 1968 and began admitting girls in 1975.[2]
By 1991 the school had 577 students between the ages of 14 and 18 – 306 boys and 271 girls.[2][3]
On 13 July 1991, 71 girls were raped and 19 killed[1] at St. Kizito school. After supposedly declining to participate in a strike organized by the boys at the school, the girls' dormitory was invaded by male students and the chaos began.
Initial reports included a statement from the deputy principal, Joyce Kithira, who said "The boys never meant any harm against the girls. They just wanted to rape."[2][4] Kithira was dismissed from her position for her "failure to maintain discipline" at the school but was almost immediately reinstated.[3] School principal James Laiboni commented that rape was a common occurrence at the school.[2] The view was echoed by Francis Machira Apollos, a local probation officer.[2]
The school was closed immediately after the massacre as international outrage erupted on the treatment of women in Kenya and other African nations.[2] 39 boys were arrested in connection with the incident.[2]