Litein Boys High School in Bureti Constituency, Kericho County, has been closed indefinitely after students went on a violent strike on Sunday night, September 21, 2025, just weeks before the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.

The latest incident marks the third time the school has been on strike, raising serious concerns about discipline and management at the institution.

What began as grumbling quickly escalated into a destructive rampage. Students smashed classroom windows, overturned desks, and damaged dormitory facilities. They also attacked the school watchman with stones, forcing him to flee. Some tried to storm out of the compound while others attempted to bring down the perimeter fence.

Library and labs burnt

In the confusion, the rioters switched off all lights in the compound, allowing them to carry out destruction under the cover of darkness. Police and security officers used tear gas to disperse the students, but by the time calm was restored, property worth millions of shillings had been destroyed.

Classrooms were vandalised, the library and computer laboratories were partly burned, and sections of the dining hall and dormitories were left in ruins.

Neighbours reported loud shouting and banging from the school late into the night, prompting officers from Litein and Bureti to rush to the scene. Their intervention prevented further escalation, though damage had already been done.

Kericho East OCPD Benedict Chirchir confirmed the closure, saying it was agreed upon after consultations with police, education officials, and the school administration to ensure safety.

Last term, in July, students staged another rampage over complaints of being served uncooked rice. A previous unrest in 2023 left biometric systems, vehicles, and other property destroyed.

The timing of the latest closure is particularly worrying for Form Four candidates preparing for the KCSE exams. Disruptions of this kind could interfere with revision and exam readiness.

Bureti Sub-County Police Commander said no serious injuries were reported, though an assessment of the damage is ongoing.