The High Court has significantly reduced the controversial damage fee imposed on students of Litein Boys High School following recent unrest that led to destruction of school property.
Initially, the school management had demanded approximately Ksh. 49,000 per student, sparking an uproar among parents who deemed the amount excessive and unaffordable. The total bill was estimated at Ksh. 69 million for all affected students.
After weeks of tension and a legal battle initiated by parents, the High Court ruled that each student should instead pay Ksh. 10,000, bringing the overall burden down to roughly Ksh. 14 million — a significant relief for many families.
Parents, through their lawyers Danstan Omari and Shadrach Wambui, had moved to court to contest the initial fine. They argued that most families could not afford both the damage fee and the regular school fees, and warned that excluding students who couldn’t pay might lead to further unrest.
“If others are in school and others are not, are we not instigating another strike? Let’s listen to the pain of the boys and their parents,” said lawyer Danstan Omari during the hearing.
The school, represented by its principal and legal team, defended the fine. They said the Ksh. 25,000 portion (reduced from the initial Ksh. 49,000) was required to repair dormitories, replace damaged computer and improve food supply and learning facilities.
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They claimed the amount was approved by the Board of Management and reflected the true cost of the damage caused during the unrest.
To allow learners to return and sit for their exams without further delay, the court proposed an interim arrangement: immediate payment of Ksh. 10,000, an additional Ksh. 5,000 to be paid after one week and further payments to be discussed pending final judgment
Both the school and parents accepted this arrangement. The court is expected to continue deliberations to determine whether the original Ksh. 49,000 fine was justified.
Parents have welcomed the court’s decision and promised to pay the revised fee promptly to ensure their children return to school and resume learning without disruption.
By Kimutai Langat
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