St. Aquinas Dormitory at Bishop Okoth Mbaga Girls High School in Siaya County was destroyed by a devastating fire just hours after Form Four students resumed learning following a temporary closure after looming school unrests.
The institution had earlier sent students home to ease tensions amid a growing wave of unrest affecting schools across the country The incident reportedly occurred against the backdrop of disciplinary concerns involving students who had just returned from a music festival.
The incident occurred barely hours after Form Four students reported back to the school as part of a phased reopening programme aimed at restoring normal learning while easing tensions that had reportedly emerged among learners.
School administrators had earlier sent students home for a short period in an effort to diffuse unrest that has recently affected several learning institutions across the country.
It is alleged that the blaze could have been linked to simmering student grievances within the school. According to the source, another group of students had also returned to the institution after participating in inter-school music competitions.
Sources privy to Morgan Media disclosed that some of the learners returned with hairstyles and appearances that were deemed to be in violation of school regulations, prompting disciplinary action from the administration.
"Two groups had reported back to school. There were the Form Four students who resumed learning and another group that had just returned from music festivals. The administration is said to have taken issue with some of the hairstyles and appearances, leading to disciplinary measures," the source claimed.
Mbaga Girls had in recent years relaxed its long-standing rule requiring students to shave their hair. However, learners are still prohibited from plaiting their hair.
Other sources reveal they want to be allowed to put on trousers like their counterparts in Ng'iya Girls and Rang'ala Girls High School.
The incident comes amid growing concern over a string of unrest cases reported in secondary schools across Kenya in recent weeks. Several institutions have experienced dormitory fires, student strikes and property destruction, prompting interventions from school administrations and education officials.
The concerns intensified following the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru county, where 16 students lost their lives after a dormitory was engulfed in flames in late May.
The Ministry of Education has since urged schools to strengthen safety measures and address student grievances early to avert from further incidents.
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