The institution, located in Bureti constituency, was shut down after students overpowered security and went on a destructive rampage.The management of Litein High School in Kericho county has urged patience as it considers the most appropriate action following Sunday night’s violent student unrest that led to the school’s indefinite closure.
In a notice to parents, students, stakeholders and members of the public, the school’s principal dismissed as falsehoods the information circulating on social media about purported decisions taken after the riot.
“Our attention has been drawn from the information circulating in social media about steps taken after unrest. I wish to inform all stakeholders that we shall keep the public updated on any official developments. Until then, we kindly request stakeholders to disregard misleading information and rely only on information released through our school official communication channels,” he said.
The institution, located in Bureti constituency, was shut down after students overpowered security and went on a destructive rampage.
Several classrooms were vandalised, windows smashed, desks overturned, and dormitory facilities damaged.
The library and computer laboratories were partly burned, while sections of the dining hall and dormitories were left in ruins.
One of the school’s buildings was set ablaze in the mayhem.
The watchman was attacked with stones and forced to flee for safety.
Police officers were later called in to restore order, using tear gas to disperse the rampaging students.
By then, damage running into millions of shillings had already been inflicted.
Viral videos showed some students breaking into teachers’ quarters and preparing meals, including chapati and eggs, after switching off power at the main supply switch.
This was the third time in recent months that Litein High has experienced student unrest.
A similar strike last term was reportedly triggered by complaints over poorly cooked rice.
The latest chaos broke out as students prepared to sit their KCSE exams and appeared to spark copycat unrest in other institutions.
On Tuesday night, three other schools in the Rift Valley were hit by riots, with one dormitory torched and another school closed indefinitely.
Despite the scale of destruction at Litein High, no serious injuries were reported.
The management has pledged to keep all stakeholders updated on official decisions once consultations are complete.
