Parents of students at Litein Boys High School have been asked to pay Sh69 million to repair damages following a destructive student strike that left part of the institution in ruins.
This means each of the parents will have to part with Sh49,699 for the reconstruction of the school after the strike damage.
The decision follows a series of meetings between the Parents Association (PA), the school’s Board of Management (BOM), regional engineers, and teachers to assess the extent of damage and determine repair costs.
According to a summary shared by the Parents Association, the initial breakdown presented by the board and engineers showed a bill of quantities (BQ) amounting to Sh63,338,665, with an additional Sh6 million unaccounted for, bringing the total to Sh69,038,665.
Teachers’ compensation and supplies were estimated at Sh30,923,785, raising the total financial burden to Sh99,962,450.
However, after further consultations, the figure was revised to Sh69,578,795, categorised as follows: BQ (Sh41,929,610), suppliers and teachers (Sh27,281,785), and consumables (Sh367,400).
The reduction was achieved after parents and engineers agreed that painting costs should be excluded since the painting is intact.
The PA faulted the board for what it has termed as focusing more on collecting fines than addressing the underlying causes of the student unrest.
“Our PA resolution to the board was declined, the causes of the strike were not discussed, and the board appears more interested in our payment only and not the welfare of our children,” the statement from the parents read.
According to the PA, they had recommended that each parent contribute Sh10,000 per student after deducting costs for painting and rebuilding the burnt dormitory block, which they argued should be covered through government capitation funds.
The school board issued a reopening schedule, with students expected to return in three groups the first on October 9, the second on October 13, and the final group on October 16.
In an official communication to parents, the board directed that all learners must clear outstanding school fees and pay the imposed damage costs before being allowed back to school.
According to the notice, students will sit for examinations immediately upon arrival, and each must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Parents further warned that they might seek court intervention to challenge the fines, arguing that some costs, such as rebuilding the burnt dormitory, should be covered by government capitation funds.
Litein Boys High School in Bureti Constituency , Kericho County was closed indefinitely following a violent night of student unrest that left property destroyed and learning disrupted.
The chaos erupted with students reportedly vandalising school property, including dormitory windows, classrooms and sections of the dining hall. Desks were overturned, books scattered, and several light fixtures smashed during the fracas.
Neighbours reported hearing loud commotion, shouting and banging from the school compound late into the night, prompting security officers to rush to the scene.
