Low income earners and the poor in Westlands, Nairobi, may soon be forced to transfer their children from Bohra Primary school to other schools.
A spot check has revealed that two churches have encroached on the school land and even put up permanent structures.
It’s not clear who okayed the churches to operate from the school.
One Church, Gloryland Church has fenced off a section of the playground, put up a tent where worshippers congregate for morning, afternoon and evening prayers.
Glory land has also put up a permanent structure for its Pastor and other staff.
A visit to the school revealed that another SDA church has also taken part of the compound, put up a large tented structure.
The SDA church has also put up a modern ablution block and Kitchen exclusively for use by worshipers.
“This kitchen and toilet are exclusively for worshipers. The pupils here are not allowed to use them,” said a church employee who requested anonymity.
A visit to the school on Saturday revealed several activities going on.
Almost 50 cars belonging to members of the SDA church had parked in the compound.
Members of the church were split in different groups, some siting in the field carrying out bible studies.
Inside the modern tent, the service was also going on.
Modern large TV screens and high tech sound equipment’s were in operation.
A visit to the washrooms revealed modern toilets that are squeaky clean and exclusively used by the church members.
Opposite the SDA church, at Glorylands church, an intercession was ongoing with one lady “speaking in tongues”.
The entire school is surrounded by residential and commercial buildings including Safricom Headquarter 3.
Efforts to get a comment from City Hall officers in charge of lands were futile.
“There is transition. I don’t want to comment on the issue because I am not sure if I will be in office. We are waiting for Governor Johnson Sakaja to name his team. I am not sure if I will be retained,” said a senior officer from the lands department at City Hall.
If the churches are not evicted from the school, it will take a few years and they illegally acquire titles to part of the school playground.
Already, the playground has been reduced and in future, children being born today will have nowhere to play.
Eventually, the school will close and that will be a sad tale of a once shining City Public Primary school.