Parents of Litein Boys take school to court over unexplained damages fees

Damaged buildings at Litein Boys High School, where parents have been fined Sh69 million to repair property destroyed during a violent student riot. (Photo: Handout)

By Rachael Mutabasi
Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Through their legal representatives, the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) claims that recurring unrest at Litein Boys’ High School has become a financial burden to parents and points to a possible pattern of exploitation by the school’s administration.

Parents of Litein Boys High School have moved to court to challenge a Sh49,000 levy imposed on each student following recent unrest, accusing the school administration of exploiting them through repeated and unexplained charges after every strike.

The parents, through their lawyers Danstan Omari and Shadrack Wambui, claim the decision is unjustified and part of a growing pattern of financial exploitation at the institution.

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Through their legal representatives, the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) claims that recurring unrest at Litein Boys’ High School has become a financial burden to parents and points to a possible pattern of exploitation by the school’s administration.

“The first strike, parents paid without questioning. The second, they did the same,” said lawyer Danstan Omari, addressing journalists.“This is the third strike, and the parents believe the principal and the management are instigating these strikes for the benefit of payment,” he added.

The PTA contends that part of the damages, including the reconstruction of a burnt dormitory, should be funded through government capitation funds rather than parental contributions.

They further argue that the total Sh69 million figure demanded from parents was not determined through any transparent or accountable process.

In response, the PTA has called for a comprehensive audit of the destroyed property and all funds collected after previous incidents. From their own assessment, they propose that each student should pay only Sh10,000 instead of the Sh49,699 demanded by the school.

“The parents have proposed, from their own assessment, that each student should pay only Sh10,000. These teachers want to exploit the children, and that is why we are moving to court immediately to stop this exploitation," said Omari.

Omari also criticised the school’s phased reopening plan, saying it unfairly disadvantages Form Four candidates who are preparing for national examinations.

“The third term is a term for national examinations. The Form Fours are being told to report last. When will they prepare for their exams? This is a national crisis,” he said.

He added that the legal team is seeking an immediate court reprieve to protect the students and parents from what they term as systemic exploitation.

This comes three weeks after the school was closed indefinitely after students went on a rampage, destroying property worth millions and burning a dormitory.

The dispute stems from violent protests that erupted at the school on Sunday, September 21, 2025. The incident reportedly began after students protested against sitting for joint examinations with neighbouring schools. The unrest left behind extensive destruction of property, prompting the school administration to seek compensation from parents.

According to a communication from the board of management (BoM), engineers from the State Department of Public Works assessed the total damage at nearly Sh100 million. Parents will cover the larger share of Sh69 million, while the BoM will contribute Sh30 million following an appeal by the PTA.

The board plans to pay its portion in phases and may seek additional support from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Any remaining balance will later be recovered from parents through the school’s development kitty.