Court Eases Litein Parents’ Burden, Allows Ksh10K Payment for Students’ Return to School

Sheria Mtaani advocate Shadrack Wamboi and counsel Danstan Omari during a press briefing at the Milimani law courts on October 21,2025/photo/Hourly newswave reporter

A High Court sitting in Kericho has offered relief to parents of Litein Boys High School by allowing them to pay Ksh10,000 for their Form Four children to be re-admitted and sit for the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.

The school’s Board of Management (BOM) had earlier instructed parents of Form Four students to contribute between Ksh20,000 and Ksh25,000 to facilitate smooth operations during the exam period.

The matter originated from a student unrest incident that occurred at Litein Boys High School on September 21, 2025, leading to destruction of property and temporary closure of the institution. After the incident, the BOM directed each parent to pay Ksh49,000 as “damage fees” before students could resume.

The amount was later reduced to between Ksh20,000 and Ksh25,000 to help restore facilities and support KCSE exam preparations.

Parents, through public interest group Sheria Mtaani, challenged the directive in court, arguing that the charges were unreasonable and unconstitutional, citing lack of transparency and violation of learners’ rights under Articles 28 and 53 of the Constitution.

Appearing before Justice Joseph Sergon on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Litein Boys Principal Richard Kiprotich Sang defended the school’s directive, saying the funds were necessary to repair damaged facilities and provide basic necessities for candidates.

“My Lord, the amount we are asking for is to ensure candidates have a decent place to sleep, proper meals, and classrooms for their exams. We also need to replace destroyed learning equipment such as computers and science materials,” Principal Sang told the court.

However, lawyers Danstan Omari and Shadrack Wambui, representing the parents, opposed the decision, arguing that the amount was unreasonable and unaffordable for many families given the tough economic conditions.

They pleaded with the court to allow parents to pay a reduced amount of Ksh10,000 per student so that the candidates could sit their KCSE exams, which are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

“My Lord, a number of parents are unable to raise Ksh25,000 on such short notice. Some have even been pressured to pay despite their struggles. We are simply asking that they be allowed to pay Ksh10,000 so the students can sit for their exams,” Omari submitted.

In his ruling, Justice Sergon allowed the students to be re-admitted upon payment of Ksh10,000 and directed parents to clear the balance gradually during the examination period.

“Each student will pay Ksh10,000 to be re-admitted, and within a week, they can add another Ksh10,000 or Ksh5,000 until the full Ksh25,000 is settled before the exams end,” ruled Justice Sergon.