Court rules State takeover of Gatoto School unlawful

Gatoto Community Primary School Director Gideon Mutuku(Left) argues with Embakasi South Deputy County Commissioner during a forceful takeover of the institution by the Government on 6th January 2025. [Benard Orwongo,Standard]

The High Court in Nairobi has ruled that the government’s attempt to reclassify Gatoto Community Primary School in Mukuru Kwa Reuben as a public institution was unconstitutional, illegal, and in breach of the Basic Education Act.

In a landmark judgment, Justice Bahati Mwamuye declared that Gatoto remains a private, non-profit institution operating under the Alternative Provision of Basic Education and Training (APBET) framework as defined by law.