The dormitory of Igikiro Boys High School in Makuyu, Murang’a County, was burned in a suspected arson attack on Saturday, May 10.
The fire, believed to be deliberately set, destroyed property of unknown value in the recently constructed dormitory.
Emergency fire services responded in time to prevent the building from being completely razed.
Fortunately, no casualties were reported as no students were inside the dorm at the time of the inferno. However, reports indicated that three students suspected of involvement in the incident had been arrested.
Additionally, a boda boda rider from Igikiro Shopping Centre was detained in connection with the incident.
Notably, this is not the first time the school’s dormitory has been targeted in a suspected arson attack. In 2021, students allegedly set fire to the previous dorm, prompting parents to contribute towards the construction of the new facility, which has now been destroyed.
During the 2021 incident, police arrested five suspects accused of orchestrating the arson. Among them was a motorcycle rider seen near the school with a jerrycan believed to contain petrol.
Two other suspects allegedly received money from students to buy the petrol used in the attack. They were said to have delivered the fuel to the school with the help of the boda boda rider.
Another suspect was reportedly the fuel attendant who sold the petrol to the alleged perpetrators.
Preliminary investigations at the time indicated that a boda boda rider bought five litres of petrol and passed it over the school fence to students. Moments later, the dormitory was seen in flames.
Fortunately, the dorm — named Uhuru Kenyatta — was saved from complete destruction after locals acted swiftly to contain the fire.
The 2021 incident occurred during a wave of school fires across the country. At its peak, it was estimated that 35 schools had been affected, forcing many to temporarily close.
Fast forward to 2025, school fires are still common. On Monday, January 20, a fire incident was reported at Moi Girls High School, Nairobi. Moi Girls' High School has a history of fire incidents, with one of the more recent ones resulting in a devastating tragedy. In 2017, a dormitory fire claimed the lives of 10 students, with a 14-year-old found guilty of arson. She was effectively charged with manslaughter.
Just a few days prior, another fire burned down a dormitory at Cardinal Otunga High School in Mosocho, Kisii County. According to witnesses, the fire, which broke out at around 6 pm, razed the dormitory barely two days after students had resumed their studies at the institution.
