Over 400 candidates risk missing KCSE exam as court declines to reopen Litein Boys
Justice Joseph Sergon of the High Court, however, declined to grant temporary orders compelling the school to reopen.
Over 400 Form Four students from Litein Boys High School in Kericho County face an uncertain future after the High Court declined to order their readmission ahead of the national exams starting next week.
The school, which was closed following a violent protest on September 21, has demanded parents raise Sh69.5 million for reconstruction before students are allowed back.
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The closure now threatens to lock out hundreds of candidates from the upcoming Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.
Justice Joseph Sergon of the High Court, however, declined to grant temporary orders compelling the school to reopen.
Instead, he certified as urgent a petition filed by the rights group Sheria Mtaani na Shadrack Wambui, directing that the matter be mentioned on October 23 for directions, just two days after the KCSE exam begins nationwide.
In the petition, the lobby accuses the school of violating students' rights to education by demanding Sh49,929.61 per parent for property damaged during the unrest.
The organisation insists that the school’s demand is excessive and punishes all parents and students collectively rather than identifying those responsible.
When the matter came up on October 13, Justice Sergon ordered lawyers Danstan Omari and Shadrack Wambui to serve the respondents, the Board of Management, the Chief Principal, and several education authorities within three days.
Those expected to respond include the Kenya National Examination Council, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, Kericho County Director of Education, and the Teachers Service Commission.
The judge also instructed all parties to file written submissions within a week to pave the way for the hearing.
In the court papers, Omari said the petition was filed under Articles 22(2) and 258(1) of the Constitution to protect the students’ right to education. He argued that the school’s actions amounted to discrimination and breached constitutional guarantees.
The rights lobby further told the court that Litein Boys has witnessed repeated unrest in recent years, pointing to deeper issues in its management and student welfare.
“This is the third time such an incident has occurred, signalling persistent and unresolved welfare and governance issues within the school environment,” the petition stated.
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