- Nine students from St. Paul’s Gekano Boys School have been charged with arson following a dormitory fire that forced the school’s closure.
- The prosecution alleges the accused set ablaze two dormitories and the administration block, causing losses estimated at more than KSh12 million.
- Police have also arrested six students over a separate dormitory fire at Nyankanda Secondary School in Kisii County.
Nine students from St. Paul’s Gekano Boys School have been arraigned before the Nyamira Law Courts in connection with an arson attack that forced the closure of the school.
The students, aged between 16 and 19 years, appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Caroline Nzibe, where each faced one count of arson contrary to Section 332 of the Penal Code.
According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly set fire to two dormitories and the administration block on the night of July 5, 2026, causing damage estimated at more than KSh12 million.
The school was closed on July 6, 2026, after the fire destroyed students’ personal belongings, learning materials and school records.
More than 600 students were sent home as parents await further communication from the Ministry of Education.
Court proceedings
Prosecutor Grace Moraa informed the court that investigations were ongoing and sought 14 more days to complete inquiries into the incident.
She also opposed the release of the accused on bond, citing the seriousness of the offence.
Defence lawyers urged the court to release the students on reasonable bond, arguing that they were still school-going learners.
However, Magistrate Nzibe ordered that the minors be remanded at the Nyamira Juvenile Remand Home, while those aged above 18 years be held at the men’s prison pending further directions.
The case will be mentioned on July 27, 2026.
Nyamira County Director of Education James Mwangi condemned the incident and urged schools, parents and learners to resolve grievances through dialogue.
“We cannot allow destruction to take over learning,” he said.
Parents have appealed to the Government and well-wishers to support the reconstruction of the damaged facilities to enable learning to resume.
Another dormitory fire in Kisii
In a separate incident, six students from Nyankanda Secondary School in Kitutu Chache North Constituency have been arrested over the burning of a boys’ dormitory.
According to the school principal, the parents of the suspects were informed and accompanied their children to the police station, where statements were recorded to assist investigations.
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The fire destroyed the dormitory and students’ personal belongings, disrupting learning as investigations continue.
By Enock Okongó
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