posted 07-30-2002 02:49 AM               

The Nation (Nairobi)
July 20, 2002
Posted to the web July 19, 2002

A Nairobi primary school, which was closed earlier this week due to fears that pupils were under an evil spell was closed again yesterday.

Trouble started at Dandora Primary School in Dandora Phase 1 during the 8am assembly when four pupils collapsed, and started yelling and rolling on the ground claiming they been possessed by evil spirits.

"We were praying and four Standard Eight pupils collapsed and started yelling and rolling on the ground just like it happened on Monday," said Caro Wairimu, a Standard Seven pupil. "The four were some of the seven who had collapsed on Monday."

Barak Orinda, a Standard Eight pupil said that there was a commotion within the school but before passers-by could get in, the gates were locked and then the police arrived on the scene.

On Monday, trouble started when a teacher entered a standard eight classroom to lead the students in prayer.

The teacher is a member of an evangelical church that has been allegedly inviting children from the school to its prayer sessions.

When the teacher was in deep prayer, seven girls collapsed and started yelling and rolling on the floor, claimed they had been possessed by evil spirits.

The seven pupils were said to have been recruited into the controversial church known as Mogodo International Ministries and had since been attending prayers and academic tuition at the church.

Police were forced to fire tear gas and live bullets to disperse a large crowd that had gathered outside the school demanding the school head's dismissal.

In yesterday's incident, parents were barred from getting into the school compound by the police who had been called by the head teacher, Frosie Mutiso, immediately the commotion started in the school.

"I do not know whether it is evil spirits, demons or just a case of mass hysteria," the head teacher said, "I can be sure of what it is after the meeting with parents tomorrow (today)."

The presence of the police in full riot gear in and around the school prevented ugly scenes witnessed earlier in the week when both the police and teachers were pelted with stones by an angry mob.