More Than 10 Schools Have Burned Down In 12 Days, Here’s The List

Kenya is witnessing a wave of school fires in schools, that have left parents and other education stakeholders demanding solutions from the government, with more than 10 learning institutions having been burnt down this month alone.

Several schools have been closed down after dormitories, classrooms, and laboratories were burned down by the fire and, in some instances, learners left nursing injuries, others have died.

In several cases, authorities have confirmed arson as the cause and have usually found students to be the culprits. Where the property has been destroyed, parents will be forced to fork out money to help facilitate the reconstruction of the infrastructure.

Here is a list of schools that have been burnt down this month

1. Hillside Endarasha Academy In Nyeri

At least 21 pupils have died while several others are nursing serious injuries after a fire broke out at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County on 5^th September. Despite the assurance by the Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura, however, parents have been waiting anxiously to find out if their missing 70 children are still alive after the school caught fire.

2. Peter Claver Secondary School

A fire broke out at St. Peter Claver Secondary School in dormitories at the learning institution on 6^th September According to one witness who was at hand at St. Peter Claver Secondary School, the fire broke out while the students were attending an entertainment session at one of the school halls.

Firefighting units from the Makueni County Government were subsequently dispatched to the scenes moments after the fires broke out.

3. Maiani High School In Makueni County

On 6^th September, a fire broke out at Maini High School while the students were attending the evening classes. However, no casualties were reported from both incidents.

4. Isiolo Girls High School

A section of a dormitory at Isiolo Boys High School went up in flames on September 11, destroying Property of unknown value. This caused panic among parents and guardians even as locals rushed to the rescue of the students and property. According to preliminary reports, several students were reportedly trapped inside the dormitory which is said to host to Form One learner.

5. Njia Boys

Fire razed down a dormitory at Njia Boys Secondary School in Igembe, Meru County on 10^th September, destroying property worth millions. Property worth millions of shillings was destroyed in the dorm which was housing 160 students. Njia Boys’ principal Alex Karuma on Tuesday said the fire broke out at around 8 pm while students were in the dining hall for supper.

6. John Mbadi Oma Secondary School

On 11^th September, a fire broke out at Oma John Mbadi Mixed Secondary School in Suba, Homa Bay County. During the incident, a dormitory was completely torched and property worth millions was destroyed. School administrators revealed that some 65 students spent their night at the dormitory.

7. Ngombeni Girls

A dormitory in Ngombeni girls went up in flames on September 10. Kilifi County Governor Gideon Mung’aro confirmed the fire incident but assured the public that there were no casualties. All the 703 students were safe.

8. Isiolo Boys

On 10^th September, a fire broke out at Isiolo Boys High School. The cause of the fire is not yet known. The Kenya Red Cross, in a statement, announced response teams had already been activated to respond to the matter. No causalities were recorded.

9. Father Makewa School in Machakos

On 10^th September, a fire broke out at Father Makewa Boys High School in Machakos County, burning down a dormitory at the learning institution. According to reports, the fire broke out at around 6 am while the students were attending their early morning lessons.

10. Yemit Boys High School in Marakwet West

On 9^th September, property of unknown value went up in flames after a fire broke out at Yemit Boys High School in Marakwet West, Elgeyo Marakwet County. According to witnesses, the fire which broke out at around 6.30 pm burned down one of the dormitories which hosts more than a hundred students.

The fire broke out while the students were undertaking their evening lessons.

11. Ortum Boys

On 8^th September, a fire erupted at Ortum Boys High School. The fire, which started around 9:00 am, quickly engulfed one of the main dormitories and spread to others, causing panic among the school community.

The incidents were reported at Bukhalalire Secondary School in Busia County and Ortum Boys in West Pokot County. According to the Police, no injuries were reported but property of unknown value was destroyed.

12. Wamy Secondary School in Isiolo

On September 11^th, a fire outbreak was reported at Wamy Secondary School in Kambi Garba area, Isiolo County. The Kenya Red Cross has confirmed the dormitory fire incident.

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