More than 20 years ago, Eunice Musila led two school strikes as a Form Four student in Kenya. Today, she is searching for the principal she once fought against — not to argue, but to say sorry. Her story shows how growing up can change the way we see our own past.
Quick Take
- Eunice Musila organised two Form Four strikes at her Kenyan high school over 20 years ago.
- The second strike led to her arrest and forced her to sit her KCSE (Kenya's high school final exams) outside her school.
- She now calls her younger self "super arrogant" and wants to apologise to former principal Susan Musimba.
- Musila says she has already reconciled with her parents and is now looking for her ex-principal.
- Her story highlights how time and maturity can turn old anger into regret and a wish to make things right.
What Happened Back in School
Musila says she was a major force behind two big strikes during her final year of high school. Back then, she was full of anger and defiance toward authority.
The second strike had real consequences. She says she was arrested along with other students who took part.
Because of this, Musila and the other students involved had to sit their KCSE exams — Kenya's national high school final exams — away from their own school. That is a serious disruption at a critical moment in a student's life.
Musila describes her teenage self as "super arrogant" — a label she now uses to explain, not excuse, what she did.
Why She's Searching for Musimba Now
Decades later, Musila sees things differently. She no longer views her old principal, Susan Musimba, as an enemy.
She says she once "hated" Musimba. Now she wants to find her and ask for forgiveness "from the deepest part of my heart."
This is not about reopening old fights. It is about facing a version of herself she no longer recognizes.
Why Teens Rebel — and Why It Sticks With Them
Teenagers often act without thinking about long-term results. Anger, peer pressure, and a need to be heard can turn a small disagreement into a full-blown strike.
A strike might last just a few days. But it can shape how people see themselves for years afterward.
School principals carry heavy responsibility. They must protect students, keep order, and make sure learning continues, even when tempers flare. Students, meanwhile, often see school leaders only as obstacles — not as people trying to keep everyone safe.
It usually takes time, and distance from school, before both sides start to understand each other better.
An Apology Years Later Still Matters
Saying sorry now cannot undo an arrest. It cannot cancel a disciplinary record or erase the chaos of a strike. Time travel is not on the table.
But an apology can still do something important: it can show real accountability.
Musila says she has already reconciled with her parents. Finding Musimba seems to be the next step in that same journey toward making peace with her past.
A Bigger Lesson for Schools
Student unrest is still common in Kenyan schools. Every generation has young people who push boundaries and clash with authority.
Some later regret it. Others never look back at all.
Musila's choice to face her past sends a clear message — people can outgrow the mistakes of their youth. For Musimba, if she is found, this could mean seeing a completely different person than the teenager she once disciplined.
There's a lesson here for parents, teachers, and students too. Discipline in school should not be only about punishment. It should help young people learn to reflect, take responsibility, and grow.
Why It Matters
Musila's story is a reminder that mistakes from our teenage years don't just disappear — they can follow us into adulthood. But it also shows that it is never too late to take responsibility and try to make things right. Her search for forgiveness offers a hopeful example for anyone still carrying guilt from their younger years.
