Ministry probes school after dormitory fire

A Nakuru County firefighter battles a blaze at Kirobon Girls High School on Tuesday. The cause of the fire is yet to be established. (PHOTO: KIPSANG JOSEPH/ STANDARD)

The administration of a secondary school is on the spot after Form Four students were found undergoing "illegal" tuition.

The incident came to light after a fire razed down a dormitory at Kirobon Girls Secondary School on Tuesday evening.

Nakuru County Director of Education Esther Muiru said investigations had been launched to find out what triggered the fire and why the students were in school, before taking action against the administration.

Ms Muiru said the school was conducting the tuition illegally.

She said the school, including parents, never informed the ministry about the tuition nor requested permission for extra studies during the holiday.

“What were teachers doing at the school despite knowing that the education policy does not allow tuition?

"This is unfortunate because we tend to believe schools are safe during vacations. We shall not permit any school to keep students at school,” said Ms Muiru.

According to eye witnesses, the students were in classrooms when the fire broke out in the dormitory at around 4pm.

Edga Mulemba, who had been contracted by the school to do carpentry work, said he saw a student in full school uniform leave the dormitory and immediately smoke waft out of the dormitory.

Mobilised locals

Mr Mulemba said he together with other people mobilised locals to try and to put out the fire and rescue property but it was difficult because the flames were spreading fast.

Danson Ngige, a teacher, said he was teaching when the students informed him that the dormitory was burning.

Mr Ngige said he immediately rushed to switch off electricity at the school’s main switch.

He said the school administration then contacted the county disaster management team that sent a fire engine to put out the fire.

Property of an unknown value was razed down including blankets and mattresses. The razed dormitory has a 524-bed capacity.

The school principal, Jane Mwangi, who was at the institution during the incident, refused to speak to The Standard and fled, claiming she was not the principal.