Taking the witness stand before the High Court on Friday, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja acknowledged that the ultimate responsibility for enforcing judicial directives lies with his office, while pledging to facilitate the court-ordered management transition of Gatoto Comprehensive School.

Kanja’s personal appearance was compelled by Justice Gregory Mutai after the National Police Service (NPS) failed to execute orders issued earlier this month to secure the school’s handover.

Justice Mutai had directed that management and ownership of Gatoto Primary School be restored to its board of trustees on July 2, 2026, ordering the Makadara Sub-County Police Commander (OCPD) to deploy at least three officers to oversee a peaceful transition.

Senior Counsel Martha Karua and Law Society of Kenya President Charles Kanjama, representing the school board, told the court that their attempt to serve and execute the orders met severe hostility and resistance from hired goons.

Testifying in court, Kanja stated he only learned of the impasse on Thursday after receiving court summons.

He urged the judge to hear directly from ground commanders in Makadara who understand the tactical challenges of policing Mukuru Kwa Reuben, a sprawling, densely populated informal settlement.

Under cross-examination by Kanjama, the Inspector General admitted that operational hurdles do not absolve the police service of its constitutional duty to enforce court decisions.

Charles Kanjama: “Who bears the ultimate responsibility for implementing court orders?”

IG Douglas Kanja: “It is the Inspector General.”

Kanja reassured the bench that his officers are prepared to uphold the law once local commanders complete a full security assessment of the area.

The legal battle over Gatoto Comprehensive School stems from a rift in the local community.

While the court ordered the Ministry of Education to complete the school’s registration as a private non-profit Alternative Provision of Basic Education and Training (APBET) institution under the petitioners, a section of Mukuru residents and local leaders continue to fiercely oppose the privatization model.

With the Inspector General now on record, the court is set to issue further directions on how and when the police will secure the school’s official handover.