A father has filed a lawsuit against Karoti Girls High School, seeking to have his daughter reinstated after she was suspended for allegedly hugging a fellow student. The case, which has been referred to Kerugoya Law Courts for further hearings, raises serious concerns over student rights and discrimination in schools.
The suspension occurred following accusations that the girl had formed a relationship with another student. In his petition, the father, whose identity is withheld to protect his daughter, claims that the teachers, including the deputy principal, stigmatized his daughter and the other student, making derogatory remarks, such as calling them lesbians. He states that the girls were humiliated, further compounding the distress caused by the suspension.
According to the father, the incident began on March 25, 2025, when his daughter was summoned to the staff room, where she was shown CCTV footage of the alleged hug in the presence of several teachers. The father contends that his daughter was coerced into writing a false confession admitting to being a lesbian under duress. She was reportedly threatened with further violence and humiliation if she did not comply.
The father argues that the suspension violated his daughter’s constitutional rights, including her right to education. He has petitioned the court to compel the school to re-admit his daughter unconditionally, under the oversight of the County Children’s Officer and the Ministry of Education. Additionally, the father has requested a temporary injunction to prevent the school from taking any further disciplinary actions against his daughter while the case is ongoing.
Furthermore, the father has demanded that the school’s principal, Purity Riungu, personally appear in court to explain why she should not face contempt charges for disobeying previous court orders. He also seeks a warrant for her arrest if she fails to comply with the court’s directives.
The father’s legal action underscores concerns about discrimination in educational institutions and the protection of students from such practices. He argues that unless the court intervenes, his daughter will continue to suffer irreparable harm, including trauma and the denial of her right to education. The case also raises important questions about the enforcement of policies aimed at safeguarding students’ rights and ensuring equality in schools.
