Molo MP Kuria Kimani explains why students, teachers slept at KICC

Molo Member of Parliament Kuria Kimani has refuted reports alleging that over 900 students from his constituency were abandoned overnight outside the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Tuesday, August 4.

In accordance with local outlets, the lawmaker addressed the controversy, stating that the group comprising learners and over 100 educators were housed inside the venue following a joint agreement with parents, adhering strictly to Ministry of Education safety protocols.

This came after a clip circulated widely on social media showing school buses parked near the convention facility late at night, sparking claims that the delegation had been stranded without assistance.

A formal statement was released on Wednesday by the MP stating that the contingent comprising 920 learners, upwards of 100 teachers, and several chaperoning parents from more than 20 local schools had completed an extensive educational excursion across the capital. However, schedule overruns at key stops, including the National Assembly, delayed the program past dusk.

Because Ministry of Education regulations prohibit school transport from operating past 6:00 PM, organisers opted to halt travel rather than risk driving overnight back to Nakuru County.

"As the group arrived late and the priority was to ensure the safety of the learners while complying with travel guidelines, all students and teachers were provided with supper and accommodated at KICC for the night," the statement read in part.

Addressing the incident, MP Kimani noted that the high turnout and heavy traffic of visiting schools at Parliament contributed to the delay. He emphasised that parents were notified of the revised arrangements and that security protocols were coordinated with both KICC management and local law enforcement.

"The children were very many. It got late, but we could not take them anywhere else because of existing regulations. If the kids didn’t sleep well, I also didn’t sleep well," Kimani stated, adding that he reportedly remained on-site with the group until their departure at approximately 6:00 AM on Wednesday.

The lawmaker further reiterated that the multi-site itinerary, which included visits to the National Museum of Kenya, the Nairobi Railway Museum, and interactive sessions with parliamentary leadership, was fully funded through his office, covering all logistical expenses, meals, and teacher stipends.

In a Facebook post seen by TNX Africa, he wrote, “For many of our students it was their first time in Nairobi. In addition to seeing the capital, they discovered new possibilities. I would like to thank our students, parents and teachers for their patience and understanding about the delay on their return journey. Throughout the process, the safety and wellbeing of our children was always a priority.”