Panic engulfed Matutu PAG Senior School in Gesima Ward, Kitutu Masaba, Nyamira County on Thursday evening after a fire razed a student dormitory, sending residents and parents scrambling to the scene.
The fire broke out at around 8:30pm on Thursday, lighting up the night sky over Gesima as bright orange flames swallowed the roof of the dormitory and thick black smoke billowed into the darkness. Residents, parents and students gathered at a distance, watching helplessly as property was consumed.
According to eyewitnesses and local reports from the ground, the alarm was raised by students who were still in the school compound. Villagers rushed to the scene with water, jerrycans and buckets, trying to salvage mattresses, boxes, uniforms and books before the fire spread further.
Police officers from Gesima and Nyamira responded to the scene and the fire was eventually contained. No casualties were reported, although the dormitory was reduced to ashes.
Unconfirmed reports circulating in the village claim the fire may have been started by students who did not want to sit for end-of-term examinations. However, this remains a rumour until investigations are complete.
The incident comes at a time when the Ministry of Education has raised alarm over rising cases of school unrest across the country. In the past week alone, at least 15 schools in Trans Nzoia, Nakuru, Bomet, Kericho, Narok, Kisii and Nyamira have reported cases of unrest and fire incidents.
Parents who had gathered outside the school gate were heard praying and calling for calm. Matutu PAG Senior School is one of the best-performing schools in Nyamira County, known for both academics and football.
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