By Suleiman Mbatiah
Roots Academy in Nakuru conducted its 2026 student leadership elections, allowing learners to freely choose their representatives through a structured process modeled on country’s electoral system, emphasizing transparency, participation and democratic practice.
The exercise was overseen by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials and teachers acting as returning officers and clerks for transparency. Candidates had a week-long campaign period.
School administrators said the elections demonstrate the practical focus of the Competency Based Education system, giving learners hands-on experience in leadership, decision-making and civic responsibility rather than relying on memorization or purely theoretical instruction.
Unlike many schools where staff appoint prefects, Roots Academy gives learners full control, allowing them to campaign openly, present manifestos and earn leadership positions through a transparent, peer-driven electoral process.
The school’s Deputy Headteacher Lawrence Ongoro said the process was intentional, educational and the students’ leadership helps the running of the school policies adding that it is also a way to bring everybody on board.
“And that’s why we involve teachers as the returning officers, teachers as the clerks, because there’s a gap between the elder and the young,” he said adding that the school does not impose leaders on the learners.
So, as they vote, he explained, they’re educated on how to vote, what to do, and what particular time, and to make a proper choice for their leaders as they vote. He said it was the best wat to instill leadership and responsibility
Students vied for various positions including President, Deputy President, Class Governors, Dormitory Captains, Bell Ringer – MCAs, Games Captains, Dining Hall Captains, among other areas of leadership.
Philip Netia, the IEBC returning officer, said the exercise aimed to expose learners to democratic practice, noting the elections were conducted strictly under IEBC rules to help students understand how credible, fair elections are run.
He said the IEBC team conducted civic education for learners, guiding candidates and voters on the process, and allowing ample time for campaigns so that candidates could present their manifestos to the school community.
“It shows the right away from the national level to the school level, and even to the grassroots, that the election needs to be done in a credible and fair, so that the learners as they grow up, they should know that that’s their democratic space, their democratic process,” he stated.
He added that introducing learners early to an unbiased electoral process helps them grow with clear understanding of democracy, adding that such grounding ensures they become informed voters later in life when they gain the right to vote.
He contrasted the new education system with the defunct 8-4-4, saying earlier learners lacked civic exposure, while today’s system introduces democracy early, enabling students to choose leaders based on ideas rather than imposed authority.
Education experts say school-based elections are increasingly supporting CBC goals by strengthening citizenship, communication and social responsibility, while helping learners apply classroom knowledge through practical participation in leadership and democratic processes.
For the students, the elections offered an immediate and personal lesson, turning leadership from theory into experience and giving learners a direct sense of responsibility, choice and accountability within their own school community.
President-elect Ayen Mamer of Grade 6 Purple thanked the IEBC and school administration for conducting the elections, saying Roots Academy offers equal leadership opportunities and has strong potential for nurturing responsible, inclusive student leadership.
“The only thing I want from them (the student community) is cooperation and to work as a Roots family. I want them to maintain silence and to respect the matrons in the dorm, and also to respect the teachers,” she implored her fellow students.
Deputy president-elect Trevor Maxwell thanked the school administration and students who voted for him, and used the moment to commend Roots Academy, urging parents to consider enrolling their children at the school.
He said the fair and transparent elections boosted learners’ confidence and sense of ownership, adding that his role would be to guide fellow students, offer leadership by example and help steer the school community in the right direction.
The deputy headteacher said the polls will be followed by structured leadership mentoring, enabling elected students to apply lessons learned during the election process to daily responsibilities, decision-making and practical leadership within the school environment.