Fire has razed down two dormitories in Nyakoiba Secondary School in Kisii County only days after schools reopened for first term.
According to the school administration, the fire broke out at about 5pm and reduced two dormitories alongside students’ belongings to ashes.
The principal revealed that although none of the students and staff were hurt, property worth over Ksh10 million was lost.
He appealed to well-wishers to visit the school and assist the student to start life afresh.
Kisii County Commissioner Tom Anjere was concerned about the sporadic cases of fires in schools, calling for immediate action to prevent them.
Among the people to arrive at the scene first was Bosoti Ward MCA Peter Okerio, who thanked the villagers for turning up promptly to help before the fire brigade from Kisii County arrived.
“I thank the neighbourhood for containing the fire although they did not salvage anything because the fire had already engulfed the dormitories,” he said, promising to raise the matter with the County Assembly in a view to establishing an efficient firefighting department.
County Director of Education Philip Chirchir confirmed the incident, saying the police have started investigations to establish the cause.
“We cannot name the cause of the fire now but will depend on the police investigation and brief you,” he said.
The officer appealed to school principals and their management boards to employ workers who have basic skills in disaster management and provide regular firefighting capacity-building courses to enable them detect danger in advance.
“Let school prefects, boarding masters and guards be trained and armed with basic skills of firefighting to make our schools safe,” he said.
The Nyakoiba incident comes barely three months after the neighbouring Riokindo lost three dormitories in a night fire that led to a premature closure of the school.
By Enock Okong’o
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