Inadequate food and many exams blamed for rise in schools arson

A picture of a burned dormitory Itierio Boys High school in Kisii county in a picture taken on June 26,2016. The students went on rampage the previous night and burnt seven out of eleven dormitories with nothing salvaged from the torched dorms. (Photo: Denish Ochieng, Standard)

Students have blamed the many fires in schools on inadequate food and too many examinations.

The learners said the more than 60 fire incidents recorded recently were a result of grievances that school administrations were not ready to listen to.

The students, who were attending a literacy and numeracy competition involving schools from different parts of the county, said their colleagues burned the premises after managements failed to listen to their cries.

In recent weeks, properties worth millions of shillings in several schools across the county have gone up in flames in unclear circumstances.

The students, who all came from schools that had not experienced any fire incident, were attending an educational meeting under the theme "Education My choice, My Future", organised by Jielimishe Girl Education Challenge, I choose Life Africa and the UK through DFID.

The students called on the managements to include them in school matters including diet, examinations and other issues.

They said their colleagues in affected schools burned down the institutions after the administrators ignored their grievances.

"We have a very reliable interaction between students and teachers. We have a students council which has representatives from all forms. If the students have an issue, we consult," said James Muriki, a Form Two student at Munithu High School.