A fire gutted a dormitory at Masosa Secondary School in Nyamaiya Ward, Nyamira County, on Wednesday afternoon while students were in class, destroying property worth millions of shillings. No injuries were reported in the incident.
The blaze left more than 80 students affected, prompting West Mugirango MP Steve Mogaka, through his NG-CDF team, to donate relief items including blankets, mattresses and basins to help them remain in school as investigations into the cause of the fire continue.
An official from the West Mugirango NG-CDF office, speaking on behalf of the MP, said Mogaka promised to visit the school to assess the damage and determine the way forward for the continuity of learning. He also appealed to the police to carry out investigations and inform the public as soon as possible.
Nyamira County Commissioner David Leparmoriijo has confirmed the incident and said police have started investigations to establish the cause of the inferno. He assured parents of their children’s security but advised them to visit the school and ascertain the wellness of the learners as part of their psychological healing process.
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The fire incident comes barely a day after another blaze occurred at Sameta Boys High School in Kisii County, causing fear and panic after it gutted a dormitory. The fire left 8 students injured and 151 spending the night in the cold before the administration provided a makeshift arrangement to accommodate the affected learners. According to Gucha Sub-County OCPD Elizabeth Mugambi and Sameta Sub-County Director of Education Mrs. Christine Ongwae, calm has been restored at the school. The students have resumed activities and even participated in rugby matches during the ongoing inter-secondary school Term 2 competitions, where they beat neighbors Nyamagwa Boys to emerge as rugby champions from Sameta Sub-County.
Parents and other education stakeholders who spoke to Education News called for urgent action from the Cabinet Secretary for Education and the national government to move with speed and curb the emerging fire outbreaks in schools before the situation gets out of hand.
Psychologists and counsellors note that fire outbreaks in schools trigger acute stress, trauma, and anxiety among students and staff, often leading to sleep disturbances, withdrawal, and poor academic performance if not addressed quickly. They stress the need for immediate psychosocial support through guidance and counselling desks to stabilize learners and prevent long-term mental health effects.
Economists who work in education policy add that such incidents carry heavy economic costs. Beyond the direct loss of property and infrastructure, fires disrupt learning, increase dropout rates, and lower future earning potential, which amounts to a loss of human capital. They argue that investing in fire prevention measures and counselling services is cheaper than managing the social and economic fallout after an incident.
By Enock Okong’o
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