Karua seeks enforcement of court orders in Gatoto Primary case
By Faith Lagat, July 24, 2026People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader and Senior Counsel Martha Karua appeared before the Milimani High Court on Friday to press for the enforcement of court orders in the long-running Gatoto Community Primary School case, as senior government officials were summoned to explain the implementation of earlier directives.
The hearing before Justice Gregory Mutai follows months of disputes over the management of the Mukuru-based school and compliance with court orders directing that it be returned to its petitioners’ Board of Management.
Among those summoned by the court are Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Deputy Inspector General Eliud Langat, Principal Secretary for Basic Education Julius Bitok and other senior public officials.
In a statement shared on its official X account on Friday, July 24, 2026, the People’s Liberation Party said Karua was in court representing Gatoto Primary School.
“Following months of defied court orders, the court has now summoned IG Douglas Kanja, DIG Eliud Langat, PS Basic Education and other senior officials to account for failure to provide security,” the party said.
Court orders under scrutiny
The dispute stems from orders issued by Justice Mutai on June 25 directing the Ministry of Education and the County Education Board to register Gatoto Community Primary School as a private non-profit Alternative Provision of Basic Education and Training (APBET) institution.
The court further ordered that ownership and management of the school be restored to the petitioners’ Board of Management, the school’s board of directors and Felix Mwangangi Maundu by July 2.
Justice Mutai also directed the Makadara Officer Commanding Police Division to provide security during the handover process, with at least three police officers deployed to oversee compliance.
PLP said the case reflects the need to uphold the rule of law and protect children’s right to education.
“As PLP we stands for: Rule of Law – Court orders are not suggestions. They must be obeyed. Education First – Every child in Mukuru deserves to learn in peace. People over Politics – We will stand with wananchi against impunity,” the party said. “Justice delayed is justice denied. We will not relent.”
Kanja responds in court
Appearing before the court, Inspector General Douglas Kanja said he only became aware of the matter on Thursday, July 23, after being briefed about the summons.
During cross-examination by Law Society of Kenya President Charles Kanjama, the Inspector General said he had not previously been aware of the High Court orders concerning the return of the school to its management board.
“My Lord, I have said there before, I got to know about these orders yesterday, Thursday, July 23, 2026, but I further got to understand that the local Officer Commanding Station (OCS) has been dealing with them,” Kanja told the court.
Kanjama questioned whether officers under the Inspector General’s command had failed to comply with the court’s directives while citing instructions from senior officers.
Kanja responded that while he exercises overall command of the National Police Service, operational matters are handled through the service’s command structure, adding that the Gatoto matter falls under the relevant sub-county police commander and the local OCS.
Focus on education and accountability
The case has drawn attention to the implementation of court orders affecting community schools in informal settlements and the responsibilities of public institutions in enforcing judicial decisions.
The petitioners maintain that delayed implementation has disrupted learning at the school and affected pupils in Mukuru.
The proceedings are expected to examine the steps taken by security and education officials to implement the High Court’s directives and determine whether further action is necessary to ensure compliance.
The matter remains before the High Court.