By Reporter
The Kisumu High Court has issued a conservatory order stopping Chemelil Sugar Company, its Head of Corporates, Deputy General Manager, and others from disrupting learning at Chemelil Sugar Academy.
Justice Joe M. Omido, on June 16, 2026, ordered that the application be certified as urgent and that prayers 2 and 3 of the application be granted on an interim basis.
The Chemelil Sugar Academy Parents Association and the Chemelil Sugar Academy Registered Trustees had moved to court seeking a conservatory order restraining the respondents, whether by themselves, their agents, servants, employees, or any person acting under their authority, from denying, restricting, interfering with, or in any manner obstructing students enrolled at the 1st Interested Party from accessing and attending school on account of the alleged fee arrears on June 17, 2026, or any subsequent date.
They also sought orders restraining the respondents, whether by themselves, their agents, servants, or employees, from interfering with the administration, management, operation, and service delivery of the 1st Interested Party.
The applicants further prayed for a conservatory order restraining the respondents, whether by themselves, their agents, servants, or employees, from locking, closing, disrupting, disconnecting utilities to, intimidating staff of, or otherwise interfering with the operations of the 1st Interested Party.
“That the application, the petition, and all other court processes be served upon all the other parties by close of business on June 17, 2026,” Justice Omido directed.
Goons Attack
However, as the parents and trustees received the court order, goons attacked the school, causing injuries to teachers on Thursday.
According to a police report, officers have arrested three individuals linked to a brazen act of violence in which a gang stormed Chemelil Academy, leaving a trail of chaos and destruction.
“The terrifying incident unfolded on June 18, 2026, when officers received a distress call about an ongoing attack at the school.
Responding with urgency, officers rushed to the scene. To their shock, they spotted around 20 men armed with crude weapons fleeing in different directions, some heading towards Achego while others vanished into the nearby sugarcane fields,” the report read in part.
The report stated that officers were confronted with a scene of devastation.
“The gang had wreaked havoc, smashing their way into the administration block and vandalizing the offices of the Principal and Deputy Principal.
The assailants not only terrorized the staff but also assaulted them, making off with 10 smartphones, cash, and other valuables.
In the aftermath of the chaos, injured staff members were swiftly taken to Nyang’oma Sub-County Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment and are in stable condition.”
The report further stated that a police manhunt for the suspects led to the arrest of three individuals at various locations within Chemelil.
The three suspects are now in custody and are undergoing processing pending arraignment.
Prayers
The applicants prayed that an order be issued directing the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Chemelil Police Station, to supervise and ensure compliance with the orders of the court.
Justice Omido directed that the matter be mentioned on June 25, 2026, for directions.
“Take notice that any disobedience or non-observance of the order of the court served herewith will result in penal consequences to you and any other person(s) disobeying and not observing the same,” he said.
Basis
The applicants argued that most parents of students enrolled at the 1st Interested Party had paid school fees to the designated account of the 2nd Petitioner/Applicant.
“That the respondents had threatened to deny students access to the school upon resumption from the half-term break scheduled for June 17–19, 2026, on allegations of fee arrears.
That the respondents have on numerous previous occasions disrupted the operations and service delivery of the school to the detriment of learners, teaching staff, and non-teaching staff, which unfortunately contributed significantly to the school’s worst-ever KCSE performance in 2025,” they argued.
They further stated that the respondents’ reign at the school is highly unpopular among parents, teachers, and support staff of the 1st Interested Party.
“This is evidenced by the fact that in or about February 2026, the respondents denied volunteer staff at the institution entry, forcing students to come to their aid and chase the respondents away,” read the petition.
The applicants stated that a parents’ meeting held on June 11, 2026, culminated in parents voting overwhelmingly, by 100 percent, in favor of reverting the management of the school to the Chemelil Sugar Academy Registered Trustees.
They further argued that clarification had been given that the 30-year lease of the Chemelil Sugar Factory granted to the 3rd Respondent does not extend to the school.
