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Parents of students at Litein Boys High School have moved to court to challenge a Ksh49,699 damage fine per student and compel the school to readmit learners, especially Form Four candidates, ahead of national examinations.
Parents of students at Litein Boys High School in Kericho County have filed a petition at the High Court seeking interim orders to compel the Board of Management (BoM) and the Chief Principal to re-admit all students. The legal action, initiated through a certificate of urgency on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, by lawyers Shadrack Wambui and Sheria Mtaani, specifically prioritises the re-entry of over 400 Form Four candidates who are scheduled to sit their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations starting October 21, 2025.
The parents are contesting a collective fine of Ksh69 million, which translates to Ksh49,699 per student, imposed to cover damages following a recent student unrest. This is reportedly the third such incident and subsequent monetary demand, leading some parents to suspect a pattern of exploitation by the school's administration.
Student unrest leading to property damage and subsequent fines on parents is a recurring issue in Kenyan schools. In previous instances, the Ministry of Education has issued guidelines on managing discipline, emphasising operationalising clear disciplinary procedures and engaging parents in rule formulation. However, the legality of schools imposing hefty, unaudited levies has often been challenged. The High Court has previously ruled against public schools imposing unauthorised levies without approval from the Cabinet Secretary for Education.
The Ministry of Education's guidelines for secondary school fees in 2025 indicate a government subsidy of Ksh22,244 annually per learner for Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE). For boarding schools, parents contribute towards boarding and maintenance costs, with national schools having a capped fee of Ksh75,798 annually, though some charge more. Additionally, a Maintenance and Improvement Fund of Ksh5,000 per student from the government subsidy and an additional Ksh2,000 from parents for boarding schools are allocated for infrastructure, requiring approval for utilisation.
Lawyer Danstan Omari, representing the Parents Teachers Association (PTA), stated that the Ksh69 million demanded by Litein Boys High School has not been itemised, raising questions about its transparency. The PTA argues that some damages, such as a burnt dormitory, should be covered by government infrastructure funds rather than parents' contributions. From their independent assessment, the PTA proposed a payment of Ksh10,000 per student, significantly less than the imposed fine.
Teachers at Litein Boys High School have also claimed to have lost personal property worth Ksh30 million during the unrest, further complicating the financial demands on parents.
The ongoing dispute poses a significant risk to the academic future of the Form Four candidates, who are just weeks away from their national examinations. The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has scheduled the 2025 KCSE examinations from October 21 to November 21, 2025. Delays in readmission could severely impact their preparation and performance. The Ministry of Education has previously directed that no student should be sent home over fee balances, especially Form Four candidates, to protect their right to education.
The Kericho High Court is expected to make a ruling on the parents' application for interim orders. The school's Board of Management had previously released a phased reopening schedule, with Form Four students expected to return on Wednesday, October 16, 2025. However, the school's directive stated that all outstanding fees and damage costs must be cleared before readmission, and students must be accompanied by their parents.
The court's decision on the readmission of students and the legality of the damage fine will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for how similar cases of student unrest and property damage are handled in Kenyan schools. The Ministry of Education's response to the allegations of financial impropriety and its role in ensuring accountability and transparency in school management will also be critical.
