Kenyans have responded harshly to an incident where a Form Three student from Muhoho High School, Kiambu County was suspended over a loaf of bread.
The student was ordered to buy 1000 loaves of bread as punishment for allegedly stealing one loaf of bread.
The cost of the punishment for the student identified as Dennis Mwaura would be estimated at Sh50,000.
An letter circulating on social media allegedly written by the school’s deputy principal further required the student to clear all his pending school fees balance.
"You are required to return to school the soonest possible at 9am having cleared all the school levies and come with breads for all the students in the school, that is,1000 loaves,” the letter read in part.
Although the principal of the school Peter Mugo declined to comment on the matter, Kenyans have not taken it lightly.
Expressing their disgust via Twitter, many users regretted that such a punishment would be employed in current times.
They wondered why the student was put on a ‘severe’ punishment as such while big names in public leadership positions enjoyed immunity even after their alleged involvement in multi-million shillings scandals.
@hillaryhardy12 said: “If you steal a bread and the punishment is 1000 loaves, what should @AnneWaiguru and other mpigs buy us Kenyans.”
@InsecurityKE wrote: “1000 loaves of bread times 50shs that’s 50k, Secondary Day school fee is 20k per year that’s 2.5 years’ worth of school fee for punishment, is that reasonable or fair in anyway and when a pupil makes a mistake, who is supposed to be punished? The student or parents?”
Another user @jesang_ replied: “Student caught stealing a loaf of bread told to bring 1000 loaves of bread and clear school fees balance. That is a clean $500. Not sure if they are punishing the student or the parent.”
To be the first to get updates on breaking and trending news in Kenya, send your WhatsApp number to 0714517835.