This archive report was first published on 9 November 2019.
On Saturday morning, a devastating fire razed down a dormitory at Musingu Boys High School in Kakamega, leaving students with significant losses. The fire, caused by an electric fault, destroyed property of an unknown value.
According to Principal Benson Lukuyi, a welding machine that was being used to repair windows at the dormitory exploded, causing the fire. The dormitory, which housed Form One and Three students who were at home for the holidays, was completely destroyed, with nothing salvaged.
Fortunately, the 354 candidates sitting the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam are safe, thanks to the quick response of the school management. Principal Lukuyi assured parents that the students are safe and have been calmed down.
Investigations into the cause of the fire have been launched, with Kakamega Sub County Police Commander Joseph Chesire leading the probe. Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who lives close to the school and is an alumnus, has also called for the contractor who constructed the Oparanya dormitory to be recalled and questioned over the matter.
This is the second fire incident at the school in two months, with the first one also caused by an electric fault. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of students in the school.
