Five Schools Report Fire Incidents In Last 14 Hours

NAIROBI,Kenya, Nov, 8 – It is a source of concern that has institutions of learning scrambling to once and for all address the perennial cases of school unrests.

Schools that have reported fire incidents nationwide include Mwala Girls High in  Machakos County, Maranda High in Siaya County,  Cheplaskei High in Uasin Gishu,  Nambale Boys High School in Busia  and St. Mary’s Riabore Primary in Nyamira County.

Police authorities have expressed concerns that the incidents could increase citing incitement as one of the reasons behind the fire incidents that has left several schools closed.

This comes as police say they are ready to charge two students at Buruburu Girls High School over a fire incident at the school that occurred last week, and led to the injury of 59 students. 

The two are accused of planning and burning one of the cubicles on October 31 before escaping and leaving their colleagues behind.

They were allegedly heard planning to burn one of the cubicles before they were later seen leaving the scene as the fire erupted.

At least 16 other students at Kakamega High school are expected in court over arson incident there.

The Form Four and Three students at Buruburu Girls are expected back in school today while their colleagues in Form One and Two are expected back tomorrow Tuesday.

A meeting between the Board of Management and the Parents and Teachers Association last Thursday came up with a number of resolutions which include the installation of CCTV cameras in the school, emergency exit doors open directly to the outside to be functional and checked regularly, floodlights to be installed to enhance security and safety, and removal of all cubicle doors to ease movement in case of emergencies.

A number of parents at the school have lamented the decision reached by the school management to have all students pay 1,500 shillings for damages incurred during the inferno.

They argue that the damages incurred should not be shouldered by all parents. 

The burden of rebuilding schools has been placed on parents after the government announced last week that it will not help in reconstructing dormitories destroyed by school fires.