8 Most Devastating School Fires in Kenya’s History.
School fires have unfortunately been a recurring issue in educational institutions. These fires have resulted from various causes, including electrical faults or acts of vandalism by students. The aftermath of such incidents often includes casualties, with some cases being tragically fatal.
The tragic fire incident at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri, where at least 17 pupils lost their lives, has reignited painful memories of past deadly fires in Kenyan schools.
These incidents, which have claimed the lives of many innocent students, are some of the worst tragedies ever witnessed in the country’s boarding schools.
Here are some of the most severe school fire incidents in Kenya since 1998, which resulted in loss of life:
1. Kyanguli Secondary School Fire (2001)
The Kyanguli Secondary School fire remains the deadliest school fire in Kenya’s history, claiming the lives of 67 boys. Located in Machakos, the tragedy was reportedly the result of arson, masterminded by two disgruntled 16-year-old students.
The arsonists drenched the dormitory’s iron-roofed building with petrol in the middle of the night, setting it ablaze. The dorm housed over 100 students, aged between 15 and 19, most of whom were caught in the fierce fire.
Survivors attributed the tragedy to student anger over school fee arrears and the cancellation of the previous year’s KCSE results due to alleged cheating. The students also expressed frustration over the administration’s heavy-handedness and blamed the school leadership for the worsening situation.
2. Bombolulu Girls Secondary School Fire (1998)
In 1998, 26 girls perished in a fire at Bombolulu Girls Secondary School, near Mazeras, Kwale. The overcrowded dormitory, which housed about 130 students, had no fire extinguishers, and one of the two doors was locked from the outside.
Additionally, all ten windows were barred, making escape nearly impossible. Reports suggest some of the victims died in a stampede as they tried to flee through the narrow doors. Following the tragedy, the school was renamed Mazeras Memorial Girls’ School.
3. St. Kizito Secondary School Tigania Fire (1991)
One of the most horrific incidents in Kenyan school history occurred at St. Kizito Secondary School in 1991, where 19 girls died after boys stormed their dormitory, attacking, raping, and killing them. A power outage left the school in darkness, prompting the girls to retreat to their dormitory for safety. However, the boys, who had short-circuited the power supply, launched a violent attack later that night, breaking down doors and windows. The girls were brutally raped, attacked, and trampled, resulting in 19 deaths and 71 injuries.
4. Moi Girls High School Fire (2017)
On September 1, 2017, a fire broke out in Kabarnet dormitory at Moi Girls High School, killing 10 students. A 14-year-old student was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to five years in prison for starting the fire.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed that the accused had shown signs of violent behavior before the incident, including demonstrating how she could cast spells using a matchbox.
On the night of the fire, she prayed for forgiveness for what she was about to do, sparking a national debate on the safety of students in boarding schools.
5. Asumbi Girls Boarding Primary School Fire (2012)
In August 2012, a fire at Asumbi Girls Boarding Primary School in Homa Bay resulted in the deaths of eight pupils. The fire, believed to have been caused by an electrical fault, consumed the dormitory where the young girls were sleeping.
The dormitory’s windows were grilled with wire mesh, and there was no emergency exit, which hampered the rescue efforts. Furthermore, the dormitory was reportedly locked from the outside, preventing the girls from escaping.
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6. Nyeri High School Fire – 1999 :
In 1999, Nyeri High School became the focus of national mourning when a group of resentful boys set fire to a cubicle where four prefects were sleeping. The perpetrators locked the prefects inside, doused the cubicle with petrol, and set it alight.
It was later discovered that suspended students had returned to seek revenge against those they believed were responsible for their punishment. While one student received a life sentence, the others accused were set free.
7. Endarasha Boys Secondary School (2010)
In 2010, students at Endarasha Boys Secondary School set fire to a dormitory, locking two of their peers inside. This act of extreme cruelty resulted in the deaths of the two students and was one of the most inhumane incidents committed by juveniles that year.
8. Stephjoy Boys High School (2015)
A fire at Stephjoy Boys High School in Limuru in 2015 resulted in the deaths of two boys and severe burns to eight others. Some students were found responsible for the incident.
Widespread Arson and Riots in Schools
In 2018, more than 60 schools across 32 counties experienced riots and arson within just two months. Fortunately, there were no deaths during these incidents. Experts attribute the causes of arson in schools to several factors, including autocratic leadership styles, unaccountable management, and poor nutrition in school diets.
Various task forces have made numerous recommendations on how to address the issue of school fires, but little has been done to implement these measures. The failure to act on these proposals continues to place students at risk, as school fires and tragedies remain a recurring problem.
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Conclusion
Tales of tragedy, pain, and the premature deaths of students due to school fires have repeatedly caused public outrage. Yet, these incidents have not led to meaningful changes, allowing them to recur.
Each time a school fire occurs, the government announces new “stringent” measures to prevent future tragedies.
8 Most Devastating School Fires in Kenya’s History.
