Kwale High School latest to burn in puzzle of school fires

KWALE: About 50 students at Kwale High School spent the night in the dining hall after their dormitory was burnt to ashes on Friday night.

School Principal Festus Sombe said the fire started at 9:15pm when students were attending their evening prayers.

Police and school administrators said they are yet to establish the cause of the fire.

“There were no fatalities, but the students lost properties including books, clothes and other personal belongings,” noted Sombe. According to the head teacher, before the dormitory went on fire, there was a total power blackout which is believed to have been occasioned by the perpetrators.

He at the same time said it is not clear who put off the light.

Speaking on Friday night, the school head revealed that they will conduct thorough investigation to unearth the truth.

“If it is the work of an individual let him carry his cross. We will not leave any stone unturned,” he observed. The 1,015 students would have suffered massive damage had the fire spread more to other structures.

Sombe is now asking students with any information or lead to share with the management for appropriate and urgent action.
“This barbaric act is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We will get to the bottom of this and bring the culprits to book,” he warned.

County Security Committee, led by Commissioner Kutswa Olaka convened an urgent special meeting to discuss the issue.

Olaka said they met the school management and security officials to unearth the truth. “CID has taken up the matter. We will trace every lead to get to the bottom of this unfortunate incident,” he observed. Security officers have since been deployed to ensure student safety.