Tension has gripped Maranda High School after 12 Form Three students were arrested over alleged involvement in a dormitory fire that destroyed students’ property and forced the indefinite closure of the institution.
The unrest began on Sunday evening when a fire broke out at the school’s Owino “B” dormitory, a block mainly occupied by Form Four candidates and Grade 10 learners.
School administrators later ordered all students to leave the institution indefinitely to prevent possible clashes between Form Three and Form Four students angered by the incident.
Students reportedly broke plates, threw away lunch food, refused to attend afternoon classes, and wrote notes demanding to be sent home.
Speaking while releasing the students, school principal Edwin Namachanja said the decision had been taken in consultation with the Director of Education’s office to protect life and property at the school.
“We have taken the necessary action following a development from Sunday when Form Three students burnt a dormitory housing Form Four students, where property of unknown value was lost,” Namachanja stated.
Police investigations
According to investigators, the fire is suspected to have been a planned arson attack.
Bondo Sub-county Police Commander Robert Aboki said the 12 students were handed over to police after they were allegedly nabbed by fellow students while attempting to flee the scene.
Detectives recovered CCTV footage from two petrol stations in Bondo town, reportedly showing six of the suspects purchasing petrol believed to have been used in setting the dormitory ablaze.
Police investigations indicate that the plan was allegedly coordinated during a sports event held on Saturday.
Authorities claim the students contributed KSh2,500 before leaving the school in civilian clothes to purchase eight litres of petrol.
Investigators further allege that the fuel was sneaked back into the school compound through a section of the fence and hidden in a dustbin ahead of the attack.
Property destroyed
Police say that after the Sunday tea break, the suspects allegedly joined others and executed the plan by spreading blankets and mattresses along the corridors of the three-storey dormitory before pouring petrol on them and setting them on fire.
The suspects are also said to have covered their faces using masks and hooded clothing before escaping.
Although firefighters and school staff managed to contain the blaze before it spread through the entire building, several students lost personal belongings worth thousands of shillings.
Mattresses, uniforms, books, and electronic items were among the property destroyed.
Police officers later recovered masks and clothing believed to have been discarded in school toilets as investigations intensified.
Students to face arson-related charges
The 12 students spent the night at Bondo Police Station and are expected to appear in court after police obtained orders allowing them to continue holding the suspects as investigations continue.
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The incident has once again raised concerns over student unrest and safety in boarding schools across the country.
By Odoyo Miranda and Erick Nyayiera
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