In the wake of a fire incident that claimed the lives of 17 pupils at Hillside Endarasha School in Nyeri, two schools in Makueni County were on the same day temporarily closed after separate fires broke out in dormitories at the learning institutions.
The incidents occurred at the Maiani High School and St. Peter Claver Secondary School- Kithuki, both located in Makueni County. In both cases, property of unknown value was damaged.
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.
Two people have since been arrested following the fire incident at St. Peter Claver Secondary School with police commencing investigations into the root cause of the two fires.
Meanwhile, the fire at Maini High School broke out while the students were attending the evening classes.
However, no casualties were reported from both incidents.
The two schools have since been closed.
The Makueni tragedies come hours after 17 pupils were burnt beyond recognition by an inferno that broke out at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County.
While confirming the tragedy, the Ministry of Education revealed it had commenced a joint investigation with the Ministry of Interior on the root cause of the fire.
According to Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang, 14 pupils sustained critical injuries and were rushed to the nearest hospitals for treatment.
"The Ministry of Education sends its heartfelt condolences to the parents, families and friends of the learners who lost their lives in this regrettable tragedy," Kipsang commented.
