A private girls school in Kenya has suspended 11 students “on allegations of lesbianism.”

According to the People Daily, 40 girls from the Linet Girls’ High School in Nyandarua, aged 14-17, were allegedly involved in an “illicit love affair.”

School authorities suspended 11 of the older girls on Monday. All of them have denied the allegations.

Six have since returned to school on the condition that they are accompanied by a parent.

Ezekial Ng’ang’a, the school’s director, said the girls exchanged kisses and love letters.

However, one of the suspended students – known only under the psuedonym Alice Mwangi – has said she and the 10 other girls were beaten by Principal Josephine Maina and Deputy Principal John Waiganjo.

Photo evidence has shown black and red marks on her thighs, back, and buttocks.

Mr Ng’ang’a said: “It is true that they were suspended on allegations of lesbianism but I do not support the fact they were beaten to that extent.”

A new anti-gay bill that would see gay people sentenced to death by stoning is under discussion in Kenya.

Kenyan government spokesperson Aden Duale said earlier this year that homosexuality was as serious as terrorism.

He said: “We need to go on and address this issue the way we want to address terrorism.

“It’s as serious as terrorism. It’s as serious as any other social evil.”