He was meant to be our spiritual guide but instead, he groomed us!

Photo Credit : Artificial Intelligence (AI)  

It was started on an undertone- one of curiosity, featuring a strange, close camaraderie between a teacher and girls, who once had been his mentees and had been bestowed with a title of a mentor, Christian Union patron and even a History & German teacher. No one was willing to believe that. By no means was it fathomable, at Alliance Girls, a school of excellent academic record and a fierce morality.

However, an alumna like Christine Mungai paid more attention. Being a journalist with a 15-year experience in the industry, she tracked the pattern; intense emotional bonds that morphed into grooming. Five former students disclosed themselves-two of which remembered having a non-consensual physical contact when still in school. Another one involved a kiss, which was forced, a few weeks after graduation. There are more similar stories; girls suffering in Peter Ayiro’s period of influence- trepidation in line with sexual abuse over the years.

This screams of manipulation and exploitation of students, by someone tasked with the responsibility of mentoring learners. Silence followed by pressure were all that the school board could provide after Africa Uncensored attempted to get some answers. Despite victim’s testaments of over 60,000 words, digital archives and in-house accounts, can the story be held off in the name of being conservatory of the school’s reputation?

Known by the moniker-‘Bush,’ Alliance Girls High School is a beacon of glory, exemplary performance, where minds are molded to fly and lead; to walk in the light. Are there grotesque shadows in the light that learners are meant to walk in?

Protect the Girls, not the Predators,’ ‘Occupy AGHS,’ read the placards raised by the alumni, a.k.a old girls of the institution, outfitted in white while invocating as they staged the demonstrations, invoking Justice & Accountability. Reasonable demands they called for? Interdiction as per Teachers Service Commission punitive measures, Suspension from his responsibilities, transparent probe, instantaneous arrest and imperative counselling services for the survivors. How does the system shield the teacher as victims are heavy laden? Not only was this an alumni outcry for impartiality but also light exposing the sinister veil; organizations such as FIDA and CREAW outrightly chastising this and enjoining action on this case. 

How does the system shield the teacher as victims are heavy laden?

The truth could not be suppressed by even a gag order by the court, an injunction being stayed by a magistrate in place of a favourable verdict being issued on July 4th, in support of Article 53(2) of the Kenyan Constitution’s child protection and safeguarding, with the best interests of the child.

This does not only depict one man who is a perpetrator of gender based violence but the consistent years-long overlooked malpractices.

Sources of the story: Africa Uncensored, Christine Mungai's the Teacher and the System and mainstream media.