The Parents of Riokindo Boys High School in Kisii County are facing significant losses as a fire ravaged three dormitories, consuming students’ belongings valued at millions of shillings.
According to the Chief Principal Gerald Orina, the cause of the 8:00 pm fire incident by remains unknown, leaving villagers, teachers, and students in a state of shock.
“The alarming situation began to unfold the previous evening while students were engaged in their evening study sessions,” he said.
Orina noted that a cry for help emanated from the students as they spotted the fire, immediately drawing the attention of nearby villagers.
They, along with the students, tried to combat the raging inferno, but it proved to be a formidable adversary, ultimately devouring the dormitories.
A school guard, who wished to remain anonymous, reported that firefighters from Kisii town arrived at the scene approximately two hours after receiving the distress call although the dormitories were beyond rescue.
Fortunately, Principal Orina reported that no students or teachers sustained injuries during the tumultuous ordeal.
The Kenyenya Subcounty director and his team were among the first to visit the school to witness the extent of the catastrophe.
They confirmed that the police had initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
“Security officers are currently on the scene, and we anticipate they will provide a thorough report once their investigation is complete,” the director stated.
When asked to estimate the cost of the damage, Principal Orina deferred, asserting that professional assessors would be required to provide an accurate figure.
The MCA of Bokimonge Ward Amos Onderi, , appealed for calm, emphasizing the need for an independent police investigation into the matter.
This incident comes just six months after neighboring Riokindo Girls High School experienced a similar tragedy when fire razed two of their dormitories to the ground. Furthermore, other schools in the region, including St. Mary’s Nysngoge Girls and St. Catherine Iranda Mixed School in Bonchari and Kitutu Chache South Constituencies, have also suffered mysterious fire outbreaks in recent days.
Kisii County Director of Education, Philip Chirchir, called upon school Principals to exercise utmost vigilance in their institutions, especially during this critical period of national examinations.
By Enock Okong’o
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