A tragic incident occurred at the Hillside Endarasha Primary School in central Kenya, where at least 17 pupils died in a fire. More than a dozen children were rushed to hospital with severe burns, and there are fears that the death toll could rise. The cause of the fire is still unknown, but arson attacks have become a troubling trend in Kenyan boarding schools, leading to over 100 deaths in the past two decades. Authorities have not confirmed or ruled out arson at this school, which has now been cordoned off for investigation.
School fires are unfortunately a common occurrence in Kenya, especially in boarding schools. Arson has been identified as the leading cause of these fires, with students often found to be responsible. Factors such as faulty electrical appliances and flammable substances also contribute to the risk of fires. These incidents are usually committed at night, particularly in school dormitories, causing maximum harm. School fires often occur during the second term when discontent and fatigue among students are more likely to mount.
One of the worst school fires in Kenya took place in 2001 at Kyanguli Secondary School, resulting in the deaths of 67 boys. The dormitory where the fire broke out was locked at one end, trapping many students inside. Arson cases have rarely resulted in trials or convictions, but the 2017 Moi Girls High School arson attack led to a landmark conviction of a 14-year-old student on manslaughter charges. Inadequate counselling services in schools, substance abuse, and peer pressure have been identified as contributing factors to these incidents.
The National Crime Research Centre in Kenya found that student arsonists are often triggered by frustration and anger towards poor school conditions, strict rules, and pressure around exams. Lack of discipline, peer pressure, and copycat behavior also play a role in these incidents. Despite the recurring trend of school fires, the Kenyan school curriculum did not include fire safety training, and many public schools had not conducted fire safety assessments for their buildings. Authorities have taken steps to address the issue, such as banning highly stressful mock exams and improving fire safety measures in schools.
In order to prevent future tragedies, it is essential for authorities in Kenya to address the underlying causes of school fires, provide adequate counselling services for students, and ensure that schools have proper fire safety protocols in place. By addressing issues such as frustration, peer pressure, and lack of discipline, authorities can work towards curbing the alarming trend of arson attacks in Kenyan schools and protecting the safety of students.
