A huge fire razed down a main building at Tulwet Boys High School in Bureti Constituency, Kericho County, on Wednesday evening, September 24.
The inferno is the latest in a string of destructive fires rocking schools in the South Rift region. Videos and images captured by residents showed towering flames consuming the structure, while community members rushed in to help control the destruction.
By the time help arrived, nothing could be saved. Although no injuries were reported, the incident deepened fears about the rising school unrest in Bureti.
Tulwet Boys Fire Raises Alarm Over Unrest in Schools
The Tulwet Boys fire is the latest in a worrying trend that has left parents, teachers, and community leaders searching for answers. Preliminary reports suggest the blaze was caused by arson, with students allegedly behind the destruction.
Community members responded quickly, trying to put out the fire before it spread to other buildings. Their efforts prevented more property loss, but the main structure was completely destroyed.
The school administration confirmed no casualties, since most students were away when the fire erupted. However, the damage has left the institution struggling to recover, with authorities now under pressure to act before more schools go up in flames.
Fires Grip Schools in Bureti and Beyond
Bureti Sub-County has become the epicenter of unrest, with multiple schools hit by strikes and fires in just one week.
Only hours before the Tulwet incident, Kabungut Boys High School in neighboring Bomet County was shut down after students staged a strike over food quality and quantity. The administration called an emergency meeting and resolved to close the school indefinitely to prevent violence.
In another case, students at Tengecha Boys High School torched a dormitory. Fortunately, locals intervened in time to stop the blaze from spreading. Despite the quick action, the administration decided to release the boys as a precautionary measure.
But the most shocking case occurred at Litein Boys High School on Sunday, September 22, when students completely destroyed the institution. The rampage left damage worth millions of shillings, sparking outrage among parents and education officials.
The repeated unrest has forced authorities to acknowledge a growing crisis, with many pointing to a mix of poor discipline, exam pressure, and unresolved grievances as key triggers.
Leaders and Parents Demand Urgent Action
Community leaders and education stakeholders have voiced deep concern, warning that the fires are a direct threat to both education and safety. Parents fear for their children’s well-being, while teachers worry that the destruction will disrupt the academic calendar.
The Ministry of Education has been urged to step in quickly, with calls for stricter security, student counseling, and disciplinary measures. Without decisive action, locals warn the cycle of destruction may spiral further, endangering not just property but also lives.
The Tulwet Boys fire has become a symbol of the larger crisis gripping Kenyan schools. With buildings destroyed, institutions closed, and students sent home, the education system is under siege. For families in Bureti, the fear is that this term may be remembered not for learning, but for flames.
