Police arrest 10 students planning to burn school in Lamu
What you need to know:
- The Form Three and Form Four students were arrested while in possession of several jerricans of petrol and matchboxes. Police say students wanted to use them to set the school on fire.
- The School’s Board of Management (BOM) chairman Mr Salim Bunu commended the school administration for the good relationship they have maintained with students.
Ten students of Mokowe Mixed Secondary School in Lamu County have been arrested by police for allegedly attempting to set the school on fire.
Confirming the incident on Tuesday, Lamu County Commissioner Mr Joseph Kanyiri said two more students are also on the run and are being sought by police.
The Form Three and Form Four students were arrested while in possession of several jerricans of petrol and matchboxes. Police say students wanted to use them to set the school on fire.
The students were caught at around 11pm and are said to have already destroyed all fire extinguishers in the school compound as they prepared to torch the institution.
“It is true. We have arrested ten students. Two are on the run but they are being sought. They must present themselves to the nearest police station.
Those who may hoard them could face charges as well. Their parents should present them to the police,” said Mr Kanyiri.
According to the school Principal Mr Thaddeus Mugute, some students reported the plan hatched by some of their colleagues to destroy the school.
Mr Mugute said one of the ring leaders of the arson plan was a Form Four student who is currently serving a two-week suspension after he was found in possession of a mobile phone while in school and was expected to report back to the school accompanied by his parents by next week.
The School’s Board of Management (BOM) chairman Mr Salim Bunu commended the school administration for the good relationship they have maintained with students.
He said the good relationship had been the reason why the plans to torch the school were revealed.
The students are currently being held at the Lamu police station and will be arraigned in court later in the day.
Early last month, Mpeketoni and Lamu Boys Secondary Schools were closed down for over two weeks after students went on rampage and destroyed school property.
A store and computer lab was torched at the Mpeketoni Secondary School after students were denied watching the Euro 2016 football match between Croatia and Spain.
Currently, learning has resumed in the two schools.
