This archive report was first published on 9 November 2019.
On Saturday morning, a devastating fire swept through a dormitory at Musingu High School, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
The blaze, which occurred at around 9am, destroyed mattresses, beds, books, and personal effects belonging to students.
According to the school's principal, Bernard Lukuya, the cause of the fire is yet to be established, although there is a possibility that it may have been triggered by an electrical glitch.
At the time of the fire, electricians were working on the dormitory, using grills to secure the windows and enhance security against burglary during the long holiday period.
Fortunately, the fire did not affect the 354 KCSE candidates who were still in school, as they were not housed in the affected dormitory.
"We are waiting for investigations to establish the cause of the fire. The affected dormitory, Madaraka-Taifa, houses students in Form One, Two, and Three who are at home for the holidays," said Mr Lukuya.
Two workers who were on site at the time of the fire sustained slight burns and were rushed to Shibwe Sub-county Hospital for treatment.
Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale visited the school and called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire, citing the school's history of safety and the recent string of fires.
"This school has been in existence since 1965 and we have not been experiencing fire incidents. But in a period of two months, we are witnessing two fire incidents in the school. Something must have gone wrong somewhere," said Mr Khalwale.
MP Elsie Muhanda also weighed in, urging leaders to support students who have lost their property before they resume studies in January.
