Why dormitories were targeted in school fires

Students have confessed that dormitories were easy arson targets because mattresses easily catch and spread fire.

A team set up last year to investigate causes of fires in schools found that the dormitories were students’ most valuable building structures.

Students interviewed said burning dormitories was the easiest way of getting new ones as the available ones were filthy and congested.

Investigations by the Clare Omolo-led team reveals that some dormitories were not conducive for learners.

“Most of the schools visited had filthy dormitories as evidenced by the presence of bedbugs and foul smell. There was graffiti on some walls whose paint had peeled off yet schools were expected to regularly paint buildings,” reads the report.

The unrest was experienced in all categories of schools, including nine boys’ national schools.

Some primary schools and private schools were also affected. Dormitories were the main targets although there were cases of classrooms, administration blocks, teachers’ houses, stores and dining halls torched.

The investigations were carried out in two phases, which involved field visits and desk review of relevant documents. Field visits took place from August 4 to 24 and October 3 to 24 last year.

The report finds that some dormitories had narrow doors that compromised the safety of students in cases of emergency.