Two Form Three students have been arrested in connection with a dormitory fire at Agoro Sare High School in Oyugis Town, Homa Bay County.
According to Rachuonyo South Sub-county Police Commander Philemon Saera, the 17-year-old suspects were apprehended after being identified by their peers.
“The students are currently under police custody to assist with investigations,” said Saera.
The two suspects are believed to have secretly returned to the dormitory and started the fire.
Dormitory property destroyed
According to the school principal, Isaac Okeyo, the blaze occurred on Saturday during parents’ visiting day and destroyed part of the school’s dormitory.
“School management, students and local residents joined efforts to contain the fire before it spread further. However, the flames completely destroyed cubicles 04 and 06 of Maangi Dormitory, which has a capacity of 280 students,” said the principal.
He added that beds, mattresses, clothing, and books belonging to students were reduced to ashes, noting that the value of the destroyed property is yet to be established.
Police respond swiftly
The Police Commander said officers, led by the OCS of Oyugis, responded swiftly after receiving reports of a fire that broke out at around 3:40 a.m. and found that the blaze had already engulfed the upper part of the dormitory.
“Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported during the incident,” said Saera.
Rising concern over school unrest
The incident comes as more schools continue to shut down amid a wave of unrest sweeping across the country.
READ ALSO: PS Bitok: We will stick to the school calendar, no early half-term break despite unrest
Education stakeholders have expressed concern over the increasing cases of arson and destruction of school property, calling for stronger preventive measures and dialogue within learning institutions.
By Frank Mugwe
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