IG Kanja, DIG Lagat, PS Ololtuaa summoned in court over Gatoto school management

The judge also summoned Nairobi Director of Education and Senior Deputy County Education Officer Erick Mulevu after petitioners complained that previous court orders had not been complied with.

The petitioners, represented by Law Society of Kenya President Charles Kanjama and senior counsel Martha Karua, told the court that they encountered hostility while serving the court orders.

Kanjama informed the court that last week a vehicle belonging to Martha Karua was stoned by alleged goons during the service of the orders. He blamed the area OCS Benson Mbai, for failing to provide adequate security, saying the petitioners and their advocates had their vehicles vandalised.

However, lawyer Danstan Omari, together with State Counsel Jacline Kiramana appearing for the Attorney General, opposed the transfer, arguing that Gatoto Comprehensive School has been a public institution since its establishment in the 1990s.

The respondents argued that transferring the school's management would disrupt learning, interfere with the administration of Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) examinations and necessitate changes to the school's records in both the KNEC and Ministry of Education databases.

They further submitted that there is currently no legal framework permitting the transfer of a public school to community management, noting that the relevant Bill remains pending before Parliament and that the existing law does not provide for such a process.

Justice Mutai directed the summoned officials to appear in person on the 24 of this month and explain why the court's earlier orders have not been implemented.