MWINGI, September 4 – Two dormitories were set ablaze at Mwingi High School on Wednesday night, only hours after students reported for the third term studies.
According to police, the fire started at about 10 pm just as the students were about to finish their evening preps.
The fire gutted Ruwenzori and Longonot dormitories. No casualties were reported.
Property worth thousands of shillings was destroyed during the inferno that has been blamed on a section of students opposed to the school’s management.
“We suspect it was started by students and not outsiders. We are investigating the matter,” a senior officer at the Provincial Police headquarters in Embu said.
“Our officers were dispatched there this morning (Thursday) and are currently gathering information from some of the students,” he added.
Over 200 schools were affected by the students’ unrest countrywide last term, prompting the closure of many institutions and the prosecution of some students.
The worst of them all was the burning of Upper Hill High School in Nairobi where a Form Three student died.
Education Minister Professor Sam Ongeri has lately warned that students found guilty of arson and any other forms of unrest in schools will face severe punishment including expulsion.
