Loreto Girls High School in Limuru, Kiambu County, has been closed indefinitely.
The closure follows Tuesday, June 2, overnight student unrest adding to growing concern over a fresh wave of instability in Kenyan schools just days after a deadly dormitory fire at Utumishi Academy claimed 16 lives.
Loreto Girls High School has been closed after students allegedly threatened to burn down the school over safety concerns.
The school administration has directed parents to pick up their children immediately as authorities move to restore order and assess the situation.
“Good morning. Due to some pressure, the management has resolved to release the girls. Kindly arrange how they shall get home,” one of the notices sent to parents reads.
Loreto Girls High Shut After Students Threaten Arson Over Safety Concerns
The closure comes amid growing concerns over student discipline and safety in learning institutions across the country.
It also adds to the number of secondary schools that have been closed in recent days following students’ strikes, even as the Term Two half-term nears.
This comes after Lenana School in Nairobi was temporarily closed following student unrest on the night of June 1.
In messages sent on Tuesday, the administration asked parents and guardians of students at the institution to pick up their children from the school on June 2 at 8:00 a.m.
The Chief Principal stated that every student should leave the school compound only in the company of a parent, guardian, or an authorized representative.
“You are therefore requested to pick your son from the school at 8:00 a.m. today. Kindly ensure that all students leave the school compound accompanied by a parent, guardian, or an authorized representative,” part of the notice dated June 2 from the Lenana Chief Principal read.
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Unrest in Schools
The unrest comes after the death of 16 students in a fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, which has once again sparked concerns over the safety of Kenya’s boarding schools.
Many fires reported in boarding schools have been the result of arson, with disgruntled pupils – angry about the discipline and living conditions – accused of being responsible, while others were caused by accident.
Overcrowding in dormitories and the failure to follow safety guidelines, such as keeping exits clear and windows unlocked, have frequently been blamed for the high number of casualties.
Kenya’s deadliest school fire occurred in 2001 when 67 students died in Machakos County, after some students set a dormitory alight.
The Ministry of Education’s assessment of schools’ compliance with safety standards in 2024 found that most “had dormitories with grills on the windows, single exits and doors that opened inwards, hence compromising the safety of the occupants”.
Education stakeholders have increasingly warned about rising cases of student unrest in secondary schools, with experts calling for stronger counseling programs, improved communication between students and school administrations and enhanced safety measures within boarding institutions.
