Former minister slams rampant school fires, urges dialogue

Former Roads Minister Franklin Bett has decried the rising cases of student unrest in schools, calling for immediate action and accountability from both stakeholders.

Bett condemned the recent incidents of arson and destruction in several schools, particularly in the Rift Valley region.

Speaking in Kericho town, he emphasised that such acts were not only illegal but also placed an unnecessary financial burden on already struggling parents.

“Schools are built using public resources,” Bett said. “It is unacceptable for a few individuals to take the law into their own hands and set them on fire. This is a national loss.”

The former minister noted that while students have the right to voice their grievances, there are proper channels in place for doing so. He urged learners to embrace dialogue instead of resorting to violence.

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“Burning dormitories or disrupting learning doesn’t solve anything,” Bett stated. “It only worsens the situation and delays your education.”

Bett also directed criticism at parents, blaming the growing indiscipline among students on what he termed “a failure in moral guidance at home.”

“Parents must take their role seriously. When they abdicate their responsibilities, we end up with children who lack discipline and respect for authority,” he warned.

Several schools in the Rift Valley region, including St. Mary’s School, Kaplong Girls, Moi Tea Girls, Litein Boys, Chemamul, and Chebisas Boys High Schools, have recently reported strikes.

Fear of upcoming exams, poor quality food, and alleged cases of sexual harassment have been cited as possible triggers of the unrest.

Bett called for thorough investigations into the underlying causes of the disturbances, urging school administrators and education stakeholders to engage students in open discussions to find lasting solutions.

“We must listen to our children, but at the same time, we must guide them. Violence is not the answer,” he concluded.

By Kimutai Langat

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