Concerns Grow Over School Unrest and Fires in Kenya.
Stakeholders in the education sector have expressed concern about an increase in instances of student unrest in secondary schools. Over the last two weeks, property worth millions of shillings has been destroyed, and some institutions have shuttered due to student strikes.
These statewide strikes are disrupting learning during the key third term, when students prepare for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams. Students demanded to go home during a week-long teachers’ strike, which sparked the uproar.
Over 100 schools sent children home as a precaution against potential harm to school property. Despite this, instability has continued in numerous schools.
Call for Intervention
In Makueni County, 25 schools have reported incidents of unrest. Kaiti MP Joshua Kimilu requested a special midterm break to stop the destruction, adding that no break is scheduled for the third term because KCSE students are studying for their exams.
Makueni Boys High School, Ngooto Boys Secondary, Kitise Secondary, and others have all been affected.
Makueni Woman Representative Rose Museo and Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili encouraged students not to burn down school buildings to express their frustrations.
Kimilu also suggested organizing a committee to look into and handle the issue of school unrest.
Arson cases and arrests
A fire at Njia Boys High School in Meru County destroyed a dormitory that housed 160 students. Police have detained six students suspected of sparking the fire.
The incident occurred just a few days after unrest broke out at nearby Burieruri High School. Similarly, a dormitory at Isiolo Girls’ High School was set on fire one day before the Njia Boys’ incident.
The principal of Njia Boys, Alex Karuma, stated that the fire started when students were in the dining hall. Even though no one was hurt, all student belongings were destroyed.
Meru County Commissioner Jacob Ouma revealed that six students caught on CCTV are suspected of being involved in the arson incident. Initial investigations revealed that rogue students were to blame.
Ouma also claimed that external accomplices frequently dupe students, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is looking into those responsible. He highlighted that criminal acts involving students will be prosecuted legally to prevent impunity.
Multiple Counties Experience Widespread Devastation
Unrest is developing throughout multiple counties. A fire broke out at night during student preparations at Kagio Secondary School in Kirinyaga County, causing considerable damage. Disaster management experts were able to put out the fire, but the pupils’ things were destroyed.
Some professors thought that opposition to internal examinations could have started the fire. Police have launched investigations, and those proven to be culpable will face prosecution.
Dormitory fires also struck other Kirinyaga schools, including Karia and Kerugoya Boys, resulting in indefinite school closures while investigations were conducted. The continuous unrest has caused great alarm among parents, teachers, and officials.
Ortum Boys High School in West Pokot sustained a dormitory fire, however, the school remained open while investigations were ongoing.
Similar dormitory fires were recorded at Yemit Boys Secondary in Elgeyo Marakwet and Bukhalalire Secondary in Busia County. In the latter event, 170 students lost their personal belongings, but no injuries were reported, and the learning process proceeded as well-wishers assisted.
“Students have remained in the school as the school sought for well-wishers to support the affected learners with basic requirements. Learning is going on as usual,” said Mr Didimo, the principal of Bukhalalire Secondary school.
Further Unrest
Student unrest has been particularly severe in Machakos County, with incidents reported at Father Makewa High School, Machakos School, and other locations. In a suspected arson attack, a dormitory at Father Makewa High School that housed 110 students was burned down.
Thankfully, no students were wounded. Other schools in the county that have been affected include Mumbuni Boys, Muthetheni Girls, Masii Girls, Masinga Boys, and Mutituni Secondary.
Students from Jomo Kenyatta Boys High School in Bahati Sub-county were sent home for damaging school property, prompting police intervention. Additional fires have been reported at Nairobi’s Kagonye Secondary, Bungoma Boys High, and Uhuru Secondary.
Concerns Grow Over School Unrest and Fires in Kenya.
