Dormitory crisis looms as schools reopen today

Renovation at the dormitories which were burned down by students is far from getting finished at Ruthimitu Mixed Secondary School at Dangoreti Constituency as schools open their doors tomorrow for lessons,the dormitory in this picture is only fenced, round no renovation was on 28/08/16 PHOTO MOSES OMUSULA

Students in some schools will sleep in classrooms ahead of today's reopening after their dormitories were destroyed.

Yesterday, heads of some schools were busy looking for alternative accommodation with calls for help rebuild destroyed dormitories.

Schools are reopening for third term in the wake of tough rules aimed at curbing exam cheating, including limited visits.

In Homa Bay, Samanga Mixed in Rachuonyo North, Bishop Mugendi in Suba, Atela Mixed, Adega Mixed and Wang' Apala Boys in Rachuonyo East are among schools where dormitories are yet to be rebuild.

Samanga principal Collince Otieno said the 110 boys will sleep in classrooms when they resume today until dormitories are rebuild.

"We could not change the opening date because of lack of accommodation. But we are still appealing to well wishers to step in and help us renovate the dormitory," said Otieno.

Atela principal said a library was destroyed in fire but they have held a fund-raiser and reconstruction will start this week.

Itierio High in Kisii, bore the brunt of the school fires when rioting students burnt seven of its 11 dormitories. The principal, Isaac Okeyo said they had repaired six dormitories burnt down on June 26 as students went on the rampage.

Okeyo said the school was still raising funds with the help of parents and well-wishers to complete the renovations. Each parent is paying Sh10,000.

He said Form Four students have already reported back and are preparing for their KCSE exams.

Nairobi's Langata High School and Ruthimitu Mixed Secondary are yet to reconstruct sections of their destroyed dormitories.

Yesterday, The Standard found masons busy reconstructing the school wall at Langata High School. One of the masons said they will start renovating the burnt dormitory next week.

He said there are plans to replace the facility's roofing to offer accommodation to the at least 200 students, who are still being accommodated in the section that was gutted by fire.

And at Ruthimitu in Dagoretti, sections of the burnt dormitory are still fenced off using iron sheets. Thi means the school must make alternative accommodation plans for 100 boys.

In Machakos, Kithangaini Mixed Secondary in Mwala Sub-County will re-open tomorrow as scheduled. One of the boys' dormitories was destroyed by fire in June.

The principal Joyce Kyalo yesterday said the school's management is awaiting compensation from an insurance firm to rebuild the facility.

"But that will not interrupt our academic calendar, all students already at school. This being an examination season, we are keen to resume teaching on schedule," she said.

She confirmed repair works had not yet begun but clarified the school had organised alternative accommodation for students.

Masii Boys High School, where a dormitory was destroyed, will also reopen today, according to the principal, Francis Muthusi.

"We repaired the dormitory using funds from the school's savings and we are ready to begin teaching as scheduled," he said.

Report by Rawlings Otieno, Moses Nyamori, James Omoro, Eric Abuga, Erastus Mulwa, Lydiah Nyawira