Police in Kangundo, Machakos County have arrested four students of Matungulu Boys’ High School in connection with burning four dormitories on Sunday, January 25, night and destruction of property worth thousands of shillings.
Area deputy county commissioner, Aron Kamau, said the students were arrested after interrogating several students in the school compound before they were sent home after their dormitories were burnt down.
He said that the students are suspected to have started the fire which burned down four dormitories in the school.
“At least four students have so far been taken into police custody. Were still pursuing 30 others who were reportedly escaped from the institution.” He said
Area sub-county education director, Mohamed Salat said the school has been closed indefinitely following the Sunday night’s students’ unrest.
It is reported that tensions flared as dozens of parents jammed the institution curious to know the fate of their sons as details about the motive of the arsonists remained scanty.
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Properties of unknown value including students’ uniform, blankets, mattresses and other personal effects were reduced to ashes as fierce fire consumed the dormitories with no remedy on sight.
School Principal, Joseph Makau alleged the incident was triggered by a section of students in form three and form four, who were unwilling to sit for opener examinations that were scheduled to kick off Tuesday, January 27.
“The students also dismantled CCTV surveillance systems moments before they torched the dormitories,” Makau told journalists.
Chairperson of Kangundo Parents Association, Sila Mutiso who addressed the media at the school attributed the incident to students’ indiscipline.
“This is a case of pure indiscipline, and is not good at all. We ask parents to try and talk to their children to observe discipline and avoid incidences of this nature. The losses that have been incurred here will have to be footed by parents,” said Sila.
Grade 10 students who were hardly two weeks old in the institution were visibly terrified as they came into terms with the life-threatening incident.
By Gastone Valusi
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