The High Court in Kericho has temporarily stopped the enforcement of a directive requiring parents of Litein Boys High School students to pay Ksh49,699 each to cover damages caused during recent student unrest.
The decision follows an urgent application filed by parents challenging the legality and fairness of the Board of Management’s (BOM) move to impose the levy.
In a ruling delivered on Monday, October 13, 2025, Justice Joseph Sergon certified the petition as urgent and ordered that the case be served immediately upon the Litein BOM, the Chief Principal, the Kericho County Director of Education, and the Ministry of Education.
“The petition dated October 8, 2025, is certified urgent. The same should be served upon the respondents forthwith, and they are required to file and serve their responses within three days from the date of service,” directed Justice Sergon.
The petition, filed through lawyers Shadrack Wambui and Sheria Mtaani, challenges the BOM’s decision requiring each student to contribute nearly Ksh49,699 to repair property damaged during the unrest, which saw parts of the school destroyed by fire.
The parents argue that the BOM and school administration failed to explain how the figure was arrived at, despite repeated requests for transparency. They maintain they are not opposed to helping restore the school but insist that any contributions must follow a fair, transparent, and verifiable process.
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The petitioners also seek interim orders directing the BOM and principal to re-admit all students, with priority given to Form Four candidates expected to sit for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams starting October 21, 2025.
“That pending the hearing and determination of this application, this Honourable Court be pleased to issue conservatory orders staying the implementation and enforcement of the BOM’s decision purporting to levy Ksh49,699 per student or any other unverified amount allegedly representing damages or losses,” part of the petition reads.
The parents further warn that over 400 Form Four students could lose crucial preparation time if the issue is not resolved promptly, urging the court to ensure they are re-admitted immediately.
The matter will be mentioned on October 23, 2025, for directions and to fix a judgment date.
The ruling has reignited discussions on how schools handle restitution after unrest, with calls for consultative and transparent approaches instead of collective financial penalties.
Litein Boy High school students were each fined Ksh49,699 to cover the damages which resulted from the September destructive unrest which left the school in dire state. After the inspection by the officials from the state department of housing, the estimated damage was settled at Ksh 69 Million, a figure which stirred debate among parents and the community.
By Philip Koech
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