Mbooni Boys High School in Makueni County has been closed indefinitely following a series of dormitory fires that left over 260 students without shelter. The fires, which occurred on Tuesday night and early Thursday morning, destroyed property of unknown value, displacing hundreds of students and prompting school authorities to take drastic measures.
The first fire broke out on Tuesday at approximately 11:30 pm, consuming a dormitory that housed 180 students. The students, caught off guard, were forced to watch helplessly as their personal belongings were reduced to ashes. Many spent the night in the cold, having lost everything but the clothes they had on.
Before the school could recover from the first incident, a second fire erupted on Thursday at around 5:00 am, destroying another dormitory and leaving 200 more students stranded. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in either incident, but the damage was extensive, leaving many students with no alternative accommodations.
Speaking to journalists, Benjamin Mauko, the Mbooni West Subcounty Director of Education, confirmed the incidents and urged students to seek alternative ways of resolving conflicts instead of resorting to destruction.
“In the Tuesday night incident, 180 students were affected, and today, another 160 students have lost all their belongings in the fire. They have been left with nothing but what they were wearing,” Mauko stated.
He emphasized that arson is not a solution to grievances and called on students to explore peaceful and constructive ways of addressing their issues.
“Students must understand that burning dormitories is not the answer. This kind of destruction ultimately affects the entire school community, including parents who will bear the financial burden of rebuilding the lost infrastructure,” he added.
Mauko refrained from speculating on the possible motives behind the fires but confirmed that investigations are underway to determine those responsible. Authorities have already launched a probe into the matter, with the aim of uncovering the cause of the incidents and taking appropriate action against the culprits.
In the meantime, the school has been closed indefinitely, as over 260 students have been left without a place to sleep. The administration has urged parents and guardians to remain patient as investigations continue.
The incident highlights the growing concern over student unrest in secondary schools, which has led to significant property destruction in recent years. Authorities and education stakeholders are now calling for a renewed focus on dialogue and discipline to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
