Fire razes down dorms in new wave

The wave of secondary school fires sweeping across the country seems to be continuing unabated.

On Sunday night, fire incidents were reported at Dr Babla Kang'aru Secondary School in Kirinyaga County and Friends School Kamusinga in Bungoma County.

And despite having announced radical measures two weeks ago, the Ministry of Education remained tight-lipped on the latest development, raising concerns over the safety of students in school.

In Kisumu, seven students from Kisumu Girls High School were charged with two counts of destruction of property and another of causing disturbance before the Kisumu Magistrate Court.

The fire incidents were reported hours after an arson attack at Highway Secondary School in Nairobi, where some students were injured. They were treated at Kenyatta National Hospital.

In Mt Elgon, a dormitory was razed down at Kapsokwony Boys High School. At Kamusinga, a dormitory housing 63 boys was burnt to the ground.

PERSONAL EFFECTS

Students spent the night in the cold as they could not salvage their personal effects including books, clothes and bedding.

The school principal, Mr Alex Kariuki Maina, said they were yet to establish the cause of the fire.

“Students were attending the evening preps when the dormitory caught fire.

“We are yet to establish if it was caused by an electric fault or an arson attack but the investigating officers are on the ground doing their work,” explained Mr Maina.

Some of the measures announced by the ministry early this month — which seem to have failed to curb the problem — include Education ministry officials conducting field visits to regions that have reported the highest cases of unrest and holding stakeholder forums with the aim of finding lasting solutions to the problem.

The forums will be led by regional co-ordinators of education and county directors of education.

BOARDING FACILITIES

All boarding schools were asked to double the number of teachers on duty with greater emphasis on surveillance of boarding facilities when students are attending evening preps.

Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed directed that all quality assurance officers in all counties file daily reports on the security situation in their regions, with clear explanations on any existing gaps.

Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association chairman Kahi Indimuli said there is need to review the current boarding schools policy.

“We can still have day schools with modern facilities without forcing students into boarding schools,” said Mr Indimuli.

With the wave of unrest, Deputy President William Ruto’s wife, Rachel, is urging students to desist from activities that can undermine the development of education in the country.

Mrs Ruto reminded students that discipline remains key to their success in life.

OBEY SCHOOL RULES

Speaking at Lugulu Girls High School in Bungoma County, during Sunday church service for 14 secondary schools, Mrs Ruto asked students to maintain discipline by obeying school regulations.

“As students, there is no point of being controversial. Just put sideshows aside, focus on your studies and follow school rules. This is the only way to succeed in life,” said Mrs Ruto.

Mrs Ruto, who was accompanied by Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama and Lugulu Girls Principal Dinah Cheruiyot, asked students to work hard in their studies.

Mr Wanyama praised good working relations among leaders, parents and teachers in the area, saying the move has led to improved performance and discipline among the students.

And while addressing more than 500 church leaders from Bungoma County, Mrs Ruto urged Kenyans to embrace peace and love for one another.

Reporting by Victor Otieno, Ouma Wanzala and Dennis Lubanga