A Kericho court has ordered the detention of eight students from Litein Boys High School for an additional seven days to give police time to carry out comprehensive investigations.

Principal Magistrate Fredrick Nyakundi directed that the students be held at Litein Police Station under the supervision of the local Officer Commanding Station (OCS).

He further prohibited the public and media from publishing images or videos of the suspects until the case is concluded.

The students, arraigned on Tuesday, September 23, face charges of arson, burglary, and malicious damage to school property.

The court heard that they were found with various items allegedly stolen from teachers’ quarters and possessed critical information that could aid investigators.

While initial reports linked the unrest to the school’s refusal to allow students to watch a football match, investigations point to their rejection of the Apex examinations—a joint test involving Litein Boys, Moi Tea, Litein Girls, Tengecha Boys, and Korongoi Girls schools.

Other accounts suggest the chaos stemmed from claims that the principal declined to secure exam leakages ahead of this year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.

The ruling follows Kericho Governor Eric Mutai’s disclosure that the arrests were made after CCTV footage inside the school helped security officers identify the suspects.

He told Citizen TV on Monday evening that the students were being held to assist with ongoing investigations and to help track down additional culprits.

“I have had an engagement today with the County security team, and I am happy, and I commend them for the work and the steps they have taken. As we talk now, 10 boys have been arrested,” said Mutai.

Litein Boys’ High School has a record of repeated unrest, sparking concerns about student discipline, mental health, and the institution’s leadership.

In July this year, the school descended into chaos after students allegedly rioted over undercooked rice served at dinner.

A police report indicated that the situation escalated after the evening meal, forcing law enforcement to intervene as property destruction began.