Police arrest 7 on arson suspicion

Charred beds being inspected at Kirobon Boys High School in Rongai, Nakuru, on June 14, 2016 after fire consumed the dormitory. Students from Karaba Boys Secondary School in Mbeere South were arrested after they were suspected of planning to burn a dormitory. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH | NATION MEDIA GROUP

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  • She ordered school administrators to keenly monitor their institutions and amicably address grievances of students to avert strikes.

Seven students have been apprehended after they were suspected of planning to torch a dormitory.

The students from Karaba Boys Secondary School in Mbeere South sub-county, Embu, were seized while in possession of petrol, Kiritiri Deputy County Commissioner Beverly Opwora said.

Speaking at Mariari Secondary School during an educational day on Friday, the administrator said the students were being probed and would be arraigned in court on Monday.

Ms Opwora regretted that property worth millions of shillings had been damaged and the education paralysed in the students’ unrest.

She ordered school administrators to keenly monitor their institutions and amicably address grievances of students to avert strikes.

Last month, a form three student at Kanyuambora Boys High School in Mbeere North died after he sustained burns during an arson attack on the school dormitory.

“We advise school administrations to invest in fire extinguishers, which would help contain damage in case of fire outbreaks. Radicalisation of students has been reported in various parts of the country and it is good for parents and teachers to work closely with the administration to nab those behind it,” the commissioner said.

Additionally, she warned parents against trying to forcefully eject head teachers from office under the excuse of poor performance. She said that is against the law.

Ms Opwora, who is also the sub-county's education board chair, told aggrieved parents to instead embrace dialogue by reporting to the authorities.

Area MP Mutava Musyimi said they had decided to hold the day in Mariari secondary, which is located in remote parts of the semi-arid Mbeere, as a way of igniting the fire for learning to all corners of the region.

The area chair of Principals Association, Moshe Musyoka, said the support from leaders had helped the sub-county record an improved performance index.