The standoff at Gatoto Community Primary School in Mukuru kwa Reuben continues to escalate, as the government defies a court order allowing the school to resume operations under its previous management. On Friday, parents, teachers, and school officials were barred from accessing the institution’s premises, with reports of rowdy youth stationed at the school gate, preventing entry.
This comes despite a ruling by the High Court on June 12, 2025, in which Justice Bahati Mwamuye declared the government’s October 2024 registration of Gatoto as a public institution illegal. The judgment directed that the school revert to its original status as a non-profit, community-based Alternative Provision of Basic Education and Training (APBET) school. The court further quashed the government’s registration certificate and issued a restraining order barring further state interference.
However, on-the-ground realities tell a different story. The school remains closed, and the management claims organized groups some allegedly hired have blocked attempts to regain control. “It’s unfortunate to see even those who benefited from Gatoto Integrated Development Program being used to frustrate our efforts,” said Gideon Ndambuki, manager of the program.
For the hundreds of vulnerable children who rely on Gatoto for free and inclusive education, the extended closure has brought distress. Community members report that several pupils have been forced to stay home, while some youths have turned to drug use and idle behavior due to the prolonged disruption in school activities.
The management of the Gatoto Integrated Development Program (GIDP), which oversees the school, is calling for immediate enforcement of the court’s decision. The Board of Management, chaired by Felix Mwangangi, is legally mandated to resume operations but has been unable to do so.
The impasse threatens to undo decades of work by the school, which has historically depended on donor support to educate underprivileged children in the informal settlement. Community leaders and rights activists are now urging government agencies to respect the court ruling and prioritize the children’s right to education.
With learning at a standstill, the future of Gatoto and the children it serves hangs in the balance.
