Kakamega High School Parents Saved From Paying Ksh21 Million Damages

Hon Justice W.M Musyoka on Tuesday, November 16, delivered the ruling, pointing out that the decision made by the board had been quashed until further notice.

He affirmed that the next hearing would take place at the end on Tuesday, November 30.

“The applicant is hereby granted leave to commence judicial Review proceedings, more specifically to apply for the prerogative order to certiorary to bring into this court and quash the resolutions of the Board of Management meeting held on November 10, 2021,” read part of the ruling.

The principal of the High School had been under fire after parents pointed out that the Ksh21 million fine was too high for the parents to meet. This meant that each student had to pay Ksh 9,800 to cater for the damages.

Other demands that had been imposed by the school’s management include clearing all fees arrears before the students report back to school, the students were not allowed to report back to school on the same day. Form Four learners reported back to school on November 15, Form Ones on November 21, Form Twos on November 23 and Form Threes would report on November 25.

The management also stated that it expects each student to be accompanied by a parent or guardian and report to school before 8am.

The parents also reached out to Kakamega Governor, Wycliffe Oparanya, in order to intervene in the matter.

“I have received numerous phone calls from parents lamenting that the headteacher was not considerate while issuing the demands. 

“At Kakamega High School, every student was asked to pay Ksh10,000 and they have approximately 2,200 students,†Oparanya wondered, terming the measure as outrageous. 

The governor noted that the Ministry of Education was well equipped to cater for the damages instead of imposing it to the parents. 

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha, had remained firm in his stance that the Ministry would not cover the cost of repairs. The charges, he directed, would be passed to parents.  

“It looks mundane and juvenile to burn a building. It is stupid, it’s primitive and must stop. We are not closing any schools,” the CS vowed while hinting at reintroducing corporal punishment in schools. 

Education CS George Magoha speaking at a KICD conference in Nairobi on Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Capital Group