23/09/2025
When Indiscipline Becomes Too Costly: Litein Boys High School Unrest
By Faith Muthoni
Rampage Leaves Parents With Heavy Burden
Litein Boys High School in Kericho County, Kenya, was recently rocked by violent unrest after a disagreement between students and the administration escalated. The incident quickly turned destructive, making it one of the costliest cases of student unrest in the country’s recent history.
What Happened
The unrest began on the night of Sunday, September 21, 2025.
Students reportedly protested over issues ranging from poorly cooked meals to being denied permission to watch a football match. The protest spiraled into chaos, leaving behind widespread destruction across the school:
Windows, dormitories, classrooms, laboratories, and the administration block were vandalized.
The library and computer labs were destroyed, along with critical educational materials.
The administration block was set ablaze, partially burning hundreds of uncollected KCSE certificates.
Students broke into the bursar’s office, stealing an estimated KSh 2 million and damaging office equipment.
Staff quarters were vandalized, CCTV cameras destroyed, and other school property worth millions of shillings lost.
Action Taken
Police were deployed and used tear gas to disperse the rioting students.
Eight students were arrested and are now facing charges of arson, burglary, and malicious damage to property.
The school was closed indefinitely as investigations and damage assessments commenced.
After consultations, the administration directed that each student must pay KSh 137,000 to cover the cost of repairs and damages before learning can resume.
Reports also indicate that students from Litein Boys will not be admitted to other schools, as a disciplinary measure to deter the transfer of indiscipline.
The Burden on Parents
This directive has placed a heavy financial strain on parents and guardians, many of whom were unprepared for such an expense.
For a school with over a thousand students, the cumulative figure runs into hundreds of millions of shillings.
Parents now face the painful task of raising large sums of money for damages they did not personally cause, while their children’s education remains disrupted.
Advisory Note
To Students
Education is an investment built on the sacrifice of your parents and guardians. Destroying school property is the same as destroying your own future.
Anger and frustration should never be expressed through violence. Dialogue with teachers and administrators is always the better path.
Every action has consequences: some students now face criminal charges and risk derailing their academic and professional futures.
To Parents
While the financial demand is overwhelming, it highlights the importance of discipline, responsibility, and accountability.
Engage your children in honest discussions about the value of education, respect for authority, and the lasting impact of indiscipline.
Parents may also need to negotiate collectively with the school and education officials for phased payments or other measures to reduce the financial burden.
To All Stakeholders
This incident should serve as a wake-up call for schools, parents, and government institutions to:
Strengthen student guidance and counseling programs.
Encourage open communication between students and school leadership.
Reinforce firm disciplinary policies, while also addressing genuine student welfare needs such as meals, recreation, and facilities.
Lesson: The unrest at Litein Boys is more than just an isolated incident — it is a national lesson that indiscipline carries lifelong consequences, not only for students but also for their families and the community at large.
Contact: [email protected]
