This archive report was first published on 19 July 2019.
On Thursday, July 18, 2019, a devastating fire broke out at Kamuiru Boys High School in Kirinyaga Central Sub-County, leaving 160 students without shelter and causing significant property damage.
According to reports, the fire, which occurred shortly before 8 pm, destroyed two dormitories and sent 17 students and a cook to hospital after they inhaled toxic fumes.
The victims were taken to a private hospital in Kerugoya town, where they were treated and discharged after several hours of observation.
County Fire Fighters arrived at the school late, with the head of the fire department, John Kiama, stating that they received information about the incident late and by the time they arrived, the dormitory had already been destroyed by the fire.
Director of Education Margaret Mwirigi assured that the situation had been managed, with the students who had inhaled toxic gases being treated and discharged, and alternative accommodation being organised for the affected students.
Although an electric fault was suspected to have caused the evening fire, investigators are on the ground to establish the actual cause.
Learning resumed at the school, with detectives securing the scene and parents holding an impromptu fund raiser to assist the students who lost all their belongings during the incident.
