Millions of shillings go up in flames as nuns’ centre burns

The aftermath of the fire at a nun's formation house. [Sammy Omingo, Standard)

Property worth millions of shillings was yesterday destroyed after a fire burnt down a nuns’ training centre.

The fire at Mount Alvernia Novitiate formation house in Bonchari sub-county razed a dining hall, a library, two offices, several classrooms and houses.

The buildings constructed more than 25 years ago were renovated less than a month ago and were due for painting.

According to Josephar Otwori, the sister in-charge, the fire may have resulted from an electrical fault.

Nuns who run to the institution from the nearby Asumbi parish said they lost important documents, including certificates that were kept in one of the rooms at the formation house. 

“We lost a lot, but we thank God that nobody was injured,” said Sr Otwori.

Hosts trainees

The centre hosts trainees from around East Africa.

“We lost important church books that we will never recover,” said one nun.

Fire fighters found it difficult to access the scene as one of the gates to the compound remained locked for almost two hours.

The centre remained under police guard after the trainee nuns were moved to the nearby Asumbi Convent.

Gesoso Deputy Officer Commanding Police Division Evans Omuga said investigation on the incident had commenced.

“Let us stop speculating and allow relevant Government bodies to conduct independent investigations,” he said.