Alumni of Sameta Boys High School have called for calm, discipline, and a thorough police investigation following a fire that gutted the Miriu West dormitory on Monday, June 1, 2026.
The blaze left seven students injured and displaced 151 others. The Old Boys Association described the incident as a painful reminder of how quickly a school community can be thrown into crisis when grievances are not addressed through appropriate channels.
Dormitory destroyed
The fire broke out in the afternoon while students were in class.
The affected building was the Miriu Dormitory Block, which is divided into Miriu West and Miriu East sections. Miriu West, which housed 151 students, was completely destroyed.
Emergency responders and members of the public managed to contain the fire at about 2:50 p.m. before it spread to Miriu East, allowing some belongings in that section to be salvaged.
Seven students sustained minor cut injuries while attempting to rescue their belongings. Six were treated at Gucha Sub-County Level Four Hospital, while one was treated at Sameta Med Care Hospital. A member of the public injured during the rescue operation was also treated at Gucha Sub-County Level Four Hospital.
Investigations underway
School Principal Mrs. Mugambi said the cause of the fire had not been established and investigations were ongoing.
Sameta Sub-County Director of Education Christine Ongwae described the incident as unfortunate and warned against destructive behaviour in schools.
Speaking to students after the fire, she said: “It is unfortunate that we continue to witness such incidents in our institutions. We have seen what happened in Utumishi Girls, where lives were lost. We must not allow such situations to reoccur.”
Ongwae urged learners to use available communication channels, including speaking to trusted teachers and using suggestion boxes, instead of resorting to actions that endanger lives and property.
She also cautioned that those found responsible for acts of arson would face serious consequences.
Transparency
The Sameta Old Boys Association echoed the call for dialogue and urged authorities to follow due process in determining the cause of the fire.
The association called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to establish the origin and cause of the fire through forensic analysis, confirm or rule out arson, review the school’s safety compliance measures, and protect witnesses during investigations.
Members also requested that the school board provide a transparent report on property losses and the status of items salvaged from Miriu East.
Broader concern
The incident comes amid heightened concern over school fires following the recent tragedy at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, where 16 students lost their lives.
In response to growing concerns about school safety, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has ordered fresh inspections of boarding schools, while Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has called for enhanced surveillance measures in learning institutions.
Education News could not independently establish whether learning had resumed at the school following reports that classes had been suspended indefinitely, as teachers declined to comment on the matter.
READ ALSO: TSC trains Siaya school managers on teacher discipline and mentorship under KPEEL programme
School security personnel also declined to provide additional information, saying they had been instructed not to allow further access to unauthorized persons.
By Enock Okong’o
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
