What should have been a routine return to school after the half-term break turned into a morning of terror at Chemelil Sugar Academy in Kisumu County on Thursday when a gang of armed men stormed the institution, attacking teachers, parents and workers before fleeing into nearby sugarcane fields.
The attackers, estimated to be about 30, descended on the school just as students were reporting back for classes.
Armed with pangas, clubs and bows, they allegedly assaulted staff and parents, vandalised offices and made away with cash, mobile phones and other valuables.
According to security guard Lynus Too, the attack began at the school gate.
“They slapped me with the flat side of a panga on my back and forced the gate open. They then cut the tyres of my bicycle before turning on teachers and parents,” he recalled.
Within minutes, the calm atmosphere that had marked the start of the school day gave way to panic.
Students report back to Chemelil Sugar Academy as security officers maintain a presence at the school following a violent attack by armed assailants earlier in the day on June 18, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo| Nation Media Group
Teachers who had spent the morning receiving students found themselves running for their lives. Some scaled fences while others sought refuge in the vast sugarcane plantations surrounding the school. Parents accompanying their children were also caught up in the chaos.
Several witnesses said they had noticed unfamiliar young men loitering outside the school gate earlier in the morning. At first, nothing seemed out of the ordinary; then everything changed.
“We approached them and asked, ‘How can we help you?. Suddenly they became hostile. They started hitting the gate with pangas. They had rungus. That is when we started running for our lives,” said teacher Judith Ochido, adding that what followed was a desperate scramble for safety.
Some teachers barricaded themselves inside offices while others fled into nearby fields. Ms Ochido said she escaped through a narrow opening and ran into a sugarcane plantation.
“I don't even know how I got out. One teacher was cut and his hand was bleeding badly. As we speak, he is still in hospital,” she said.
Another teacher, Vincent Adenya, found himself trapped inside the staffroom as the attackers closed in.
“It was terrifying,” he said. “I was surrounded by around seven people armed with pangas, rungus and all sorts of weapons.”
Even after police arrived and secured the compound, fear lingered.
Teacher Agumba Agumba said he spent more than 30 minutes hiding in a sugarcane field before emerging after hearing teargas canisters being fired.
“I am still scared. I don't know whether I will spend the night at the teachers' quarters because I don't know if they might come back,” he admitted.
Parents were equally shaken, with Felix Opiyo, who had accompanied his child to school when the violence erupted. He suffered injuries to his arm and leg and was later treated and discharged.
“Thank God I managed to escape. Together with two teachers, we hid in the sugarcane plantation for almost an hour. My trousers were torn as we ran,” he said. “
School principal Abisai Samora said at least 10 people were injured in the attack, including teachers, a parent, the school bursar and a supplier.
Four victims were treated and discharged from Nyang'oma Hospital while others sought treatment at different health facilities.
“A horde of goons numbering about 30 broke into the school armed with pangas, clubs and bows in broad daylight. They unleashed mayhem and caused immense suffering to staff, teachers and parents alike,” Mr Samora said.
Chemelil Sugar Academy Principal Abisai Samora addresses Nation Media after armed goons invaded the school, injuring staff and parents and destroying property on June 18, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo| Nation Media Group
The attackers also ransacked offices and stole cash, mobile phones and other valuables before fleeing as police responded to a distress call.
The violence comes against the backdrop of a simmering dispute over the ownership and management of Chemelil Sugar Academy following the leasing of Chemelil Sugar Company.
On June 11, parents held a special general meeting and resolved that the institution should be managed independently through the Chemelil Educational Registered Trustees rather than Chemelil Sugar Company 2025 Ltd.
Although school officials stopped short of directly linking Thursday's attack to the dispute, they acknowledged that tensions surrounding the institution have persisted for months.
“We are not very clear what they wanted. We are not sure what their motive was,” Mr Samora said.
Earlier this year, Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr Kipronoh Rono ruled that the academy was not part of the sugar mill lease agreement and should continue operating independently.
A taskforce was subsequently established to recommend a governance framework for the school, although its findings have yet to be implemented.
Muhoroni Deputy Sub-County Police Commander Alice Ekale said officers responded immediately after receiving a distress call and found the suspects fleeing the scene.
“We are still pursuing them. We have leads and investigations have already begun,” she said.
Muhoroni Deputy Sub-County Police Commander Alice Ekale addresses the media at Chemelil Sugar Academy following an attack by armed goons that left several teachers, parents and staff injured on June 18, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo| Nation Media Group
“We shall secure this school 24 hours a day. All those who committed offences here will be apprehended,” Ms Ekale said.
Despite the violence and fear that swept through the institution, school officials confirmed that all 457 learners are safe.
