Chogoria Girls Boarding Primary pupils sent home after dorm fire

Wambua called on pupils to share information on people who might be planning dormitory fires.

Pupils from Chogoria Girls Boarding Primary in Tharaka Nithi have been sent home for a week after fire razed their dormitory on Friday morning.

Apart from destruction of personal effects, there were no casualties.

The fire whose cause is yet to be determined came as a surprise to the school especially after another incident to torch one of the dormitories on Tuesday night failed.

In the Tuesday's incident, a piece of cloth was found burning at the doorstep of a dormitory with a jerrycan of paraffin placed nearby while the pupils were asleep.

During a meeting with the County Director of Education, Bridget Wambua, it was resolved that the pupils should go home until September 16, when the first group, Standard Eight candidates, will be expected back.

Standard Seven pupils will report on September 17, while those in Standard Five and Six will report on September 18.

All the pupils will be accompanied by their parents or guardians on the reporting day.

Wambua called on pupils to share information on people who might be planning dormitory fires, which are rampant in the third term.

"I am urging all learners to share any problems they may be facing in school with their teachers, rather than burning of schools, " she said.

Maara subcounty Deputy County Commissioner James Wambua promised parents and teachers they will get those involved.

Parents agreed that CCTV cameras should be installed to improve security.