KANGUNDO, Kenya — A late-night fire at Matungulu Boys Secondary School in Kangundo, Machakos County, has left at least 15 students injured and admitted to the hospital, raising serious concerns over safety, discipline, and the school’s ability to resume normal learning.
The blaze broke out in the early hours of Monday, January 26, forcing students to flee their dormitories as flames spread rapidly through the institution.
According to preliminary reports, three dormitories were completely destroyed. Beds, books, bedding, uniforms, and other personal belongings belonging to more than 300 students were reduced to ashes, leaving many learners without essential supplies.
Several students sustained injuries while escaping the inferno and were rushed to Kangundo Level 4 Hospital for treatment. Hospital officials confirmed that the injured learners were in stable condition by mid-morning.
The cause of the fire had not been established by the time of publication.
However, the scale of destruction has intensified anxiety among parents and education stakeholders, with questions emerging over whether the school can continue operations without immediate intervention.
Parents who visited the school expressed shock and anger at the extent of the damage. Some openly blamed student indiscipline, citing a growing trend of unrest and arson incidents in learning institutions across the country.
Joash Mulwa, a parent living near the school, condemned the destruction and urged families to take responsibility for guiding their children.
“We are not pleased with what these boys have done. We have seen the heavy losses incurred,” Mulwa said.
“This idea of burning schools must stop. Parents need to speak to their children seriously,” he added.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Machakos County Parents Association Chairperson Sila Mutiso, who described the incident as devastating and warned that the financial burden would ultimately fall on parents.
“The damage that is here is massive, and these expenses will definitely go back to the parents,” Mutiso said.
He urged students to exercise discipline and respect school property, warning that repeated destruction undermines education outcomes and strains families already struggling with school fees.
Beyond the fire, Mutiso called for a deeper review of the school’s broader challenges, including declining academic performance.
“Education standards at Kangundo have been going down for a few years. As parents, we must now relook at this issue seriously,” he said.
“What we are seeing here is just the tip of the iceberg,” he added.
Education officials who visited the school assessed the damage and began consultations on temporary arrangements for affected students, including accommodation and replacement of basic learning materials.
Meanwhile, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrived at the school to examine the scene and collect evidence.
Investigators said they will establish the origin of the fire and determine whether it was accidental or deliberately set.
The incident adds to a growing list of school fires reported across the country in recent years, reigniting debate on student discipline, school safety standards, and the need for stronger early-warning and counselling systems within learning institutions.
Authorities are expected to release an official report once investigations are complete.
