Fire razes Giakanja Boys dormitory

Properties of unknown value were on Tuesday night destroyed when a dormitory at Giakanja Boys Secondary School in Nyeri County was reduced to ashes.

The 8.20pm incident left students in panic as they tried to salvage their properties in vain.

The adjacent dormitory was also destroyed in the process as students tried to salvage their personal belongings.

In August the school celebrated its 50th anniversary, an occasion graced by Education Minister Mutula Kilonzo.

The school’s principal Mr Nelson Bekenya said the students were in class for evening preps when at around 8.20pm, one of the boys noticed the blaze in the dorms and raised alarm.

Their efforts to put off the fire were futile as the fire spread rapidly within a short time.

The students stoned fire brigade personnel from the Nyeri Municipal Council for arriving late when the fire had almost been put off.

The cause of the fire was yet to be established and no one was injured during the incident, according to the school’s principal.

However, investigations have been launched into the incident.

Mr Bekenya appealed to well-wishers to help in buying bedding, school uniforms, boxes and other personal items for the affected boys in order to ensure that learning resumes normally at the school.

“The boys lost all their belongings to the fire, no single thing was saved, we have problem of accommodation, even last night we had to find a place to accommodate the affected boys,” said Mr Bekenya.

The affected dormitory- Nile East, housed 73 boys. The school has a population of 658 students.