All boarding schools in Gatundu South, Kiambu County, have been closed indefinitely following a wave of suspected arson attacks that destroyed dormitories and other key facilities at four institutions within a single week.
The abrupt closure was announced by Gatundu South Member of Parliament Gabriel Kagombe, who said the decision was necessary to prevent further destruction, particularly during weekends when teacher supervision is limited.
“We have had a lot of problems, and that is why we have decided that all children in boarding schools should go home first,” Kagombe said during a press briefing.
“We will then conduct a thorough investigation to determine where and who is planning these attacks.”
Students’ Unrest in Gatundu
Authorities suspect the fires were orchestrated by students, allegedly coordinating through online platforms and even within school computer labs.
Investigations are ongoing, with unconfirmed reports suggesting that planning meetings may have taken place in religious spaces, including mosques.
Parents have voiced frustration over the lack of transparency surrounding the full extent of the damage.
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Many fear they will be asked to shoulder the cost of rebuilding, even as the school calendar faces renewed disruptions.
“The children’s books have been stolen, and many things have gone missing,” Peninah Mburu, a parent said.
“If we have to pay, let it at least be for losses we understand, not vague demands.”
The closure comes at a critical time, with national examinations just weeks away, raising concerns about academic setbacks for candidates.
Officials say assessments will be conducted across affected institutions before any reopening plans are considered.
Schools Yet to Receive Capitation Funds
This comes as the Basic Education Principal Secretary (PS) Julius Bitok had confirmed that 29,000 schools are still waiting for their capitation funds.
Addressing the media at Machakos Teachers Training College (TTC), Bitok revealed that only 3,000 schools out of 32,000 have received full funding.
Education PS assured that all schools will receive their capitation before the end of next week.
“So far, 3,000 schools have been able to receive capitation after being verified to have the correct data on the correct number of students,” Bitok said.
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“We are anticipating that by the end of next week, all of our 32,000 schools will have received their money.”
Fire Outbreaks in Kenyan Schools
In Kenya, officials identified arson as the main cause of school fires, with students frequently held responsible.
In 2016, Kenyan authorities recorded around 130 school fire cases linked to student unrest.
By 2018, at least 63 similar incidents had been documented, according to data from parliament.
These fires have affected schools across the board, boys’, girls’, and mixed institutions alike.
Many Kenyan parents opt for primary boarding schools, believing they offer a more focused learning environment, better discipline, and a solution to the challenges of daily commuting, as highlighted in the Kenya Studies Review.
Research by Isaac Muasya of the University of Nairobi indicates that arson is the primary trigger of these school fires.
However, other hazards, such as defective electrical devices and easily ignitable items like cigarettes, also contribute significantly to the risk.
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