Court Intervenes in Liten High School Fine Dispute After Student Unrest

The High Court has stepped in to ease tensions between parents and the administration of Liten High School following a heated standoff over a controversial Ksh. 49,000 fine imposed on students after recent unrest at the institution.

The fine, introduced to cover reconstruction costs after a fire incident, sparked outrage among parents who argued that the amount was excessive and beyond their financial reach. Represented by lawyers Danstan Omari and Shadrack Wambui, the parents petitioned the court to allow students back to school upon paying a reduced amount of Ksh. 10,000 each as a temporary measure.

Omari, addressing the court, urged for fairness, warning that excluding some students could trigger 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,” he said, emphasizing that many families could not afford both school fees and the hefty penalty.

However, the school management defended its decision through its lawyer, arguing that the fine was necessary to repair damages caused during the strike, including replacing destroyed computers, dormitory equipment, and food supplies. The administration proposed a Ksh. 25,000 payment instead, saying the initial Ksh. 10,000 proposal was insufficient to sustain the school’s operations.

To strike a balance, the High Court proposed an interim arrangement: parents to pay Ksh. 10,000 immediately to allow students to return and sit for their exams, followed by an additional Ksh. 5,000 a week later. The court’s mediation aims to calm tensions while determining whether the original Ksh. 49,000 fine was fair and lawful.

Both the parents’ legal team and the school principal welcomed the compromise. “It’s a reasonable temporary solution as we await the court’s ruling,” said Omari, while the principal assured that students would be allowed to resume classes under the agreed terms.

The case remains under judicial review as the court seeks a long-term resolution to the impasse that has disrupted learning at Liten High School.