Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested four students from Magereza Academy in Naivasha following a dormitory fire that destroyed property worth thousands of shillings. The school has since been shut down indefinitely as investigations continue and repairs are undertaken.
According to Isaac Kiama, a DCI detective based in Nakuru, the arrests were made after CCTV footage placed the four learners at the scene during the blaze. Authorities said the suspects will assist investigators in piecing together what transpired on the night of the incident.
However, the decision to close the institution has sparked mixed reactions among parents. Some expressed concern that the administration might use the tragedy as a pretext to demand additional restoration funds from families. Others questioned the rationale of sending all students home, given that suspects had already been apprehended.
The school board defended its move, citing inadequate accommodation for more than 800 learners and the need to avoid interference with ongoing investigations. Officials said learning will only resume once inquiries are complete and repairs to the damaged facilities are finalised, though no reopening date has been set.
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The fire has once again highlighted the growing wave of student unrest across the country, which has led to protests, arson attacks, and abrupt closures that continue to disrupt the academic calendar.
In response, Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok convened an emergency meeting where he urged school administrations to adopt learner‑centred approaches to conflict resolution. He advised teachers, parents, and administrators to strengthen communication channels and involve students in decision‑making processes to foster responsibility and a sense of belonging.
Bitok emphasized that early engagement with learners could help prevent grievances from escalating into destructive actions such as arson, which have become increasingly common in schools nationwide.
By Frank Mugwe
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