Four students killed in dorm fire
A dormitory which was destroyed by fire on Sunday night at Le Pic Secondary School in Riruta, Nairobi. Five students were killed in the incident. Photo/
What you need to know:
- Four students admitted in critical condition at Kenyatta National Hospital
- The cause of the fire yet to be established
- In September, several schools in Siaya County were closed in response to a number of suspected arson attacks, one of which razed a dormitory at Maranda High School
- A fire also destroyed a dormitory at Asumbi Boarding Primary School in Homa Bay County in August, resulting in the death of eight pupils who were part of a group of 85 retained for holiday tuition
Le Pic Secondary School in Nairobi has closed down for a week after four students and a janitor were killed in a dormitory fire on Sunday night.
Four students have been admitted in critical condition at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
School director Mr Philip Korir told Nation that the board of directors had decided to shut down the school for one week saying it was not conducive to continue learning.
Kenya Power personnel, fire fighting agencies, engineers from the Ministry of Public Works and Education officials are investigating the cause of the fire.
Nairobi PC Njoroge Ndirangu termed the tragedy as unfortunate and sent his condolences to the families of the victims.
"The government is going to carry out a proper audit to assess the safety measures for schools to ensure they conform to the standards of the ministry," Mr Ndirangu said at the school.
The fire whose cause is yet to be established broke out at 11pm on Sunday killing four students, two in form one and two KCSE candidates.
The dormitory patron Mr Steven Oluoch (23) also perished in the inferno.
This is the latest incident in a series of school fires. On October 9th, a fire destroyed a dormitory at Giakanja Boys Secondary School in Nyeri County. There were no injuries.
In September, several schools in Siaya County were closed in response to a number of suspected arson attacks, one of which razed a dormitory at Maranda High School.
A fire also destroyed a dormitory at Asumbi Boarding Primary School in Homa Bay County in August, resulting in the death of eight pupils who were part of a group of 85 retained for holiday tuition.
Education minister Mutula Kilonzo responded by recommending the dismissal of senior education officials in the county.
In July, a fire damaged two dormitories at Joran G Secondary School in Ngong. No casualties were reported.
Meanwhile, the family of Mr Oluoch is now accusing the school principal of neglecting what they said "were numerous warnings from students that they did not want the attendant because he was too hard on them."
His wife Jacinta Akinyi told journalists that her husband had told her of the animosity that had developed between him and the students.
"He told me that they had warned him against being tough on them (students) and that they would harm him", she said adding that it was the third threat her husband was receiving from the students.
