Another tragic school fire has occurred, this time at Njia Boys High School in Meru County, where a dormitory housing 150 students was completely destroyed. The fire broke out on Sunday evening, becoming part of a troubling pattern of school fires across Kenya in recent months.

The incident at Njia Boys adds to a disturbing trend of fires sweeping through schools, raising serious concerns about safety protocols in Kenyan educational institutions. Police and emergency responders, including the Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit (CIPU), were quick to arrive at the scene, but the damage was already done. The fire, which started while the students were at supper, left the dormitory named Jamhuri in ashes. All belongings were lost, though thankfully, no casualties were reported.

This incident follows a fire at Isiolo Girls Secondary School just the night before, and a devastating blaze at Hillside Endarasha Academy Primary School in Nyeri County, where 21 students tragically lost their lives. These recent events have fueled national discussions around school safety, with many questioning whether proper fire prevention measures are being enforced.

Authorities Sound the Alarm

As investigations continue, the police and other authorities are under pressure to uncover the causes of these fires. While the exact reasons for the Njia Boys fire are not yet clear, the frequency of such occurrences has prompted school administrators and government officials to reassess fire safety standards. Many parents are now demanding answers, fearing for the safety of their children.

In response to this growing crisis, school leaders are being urged to strengthen fire safety protocols, while emergency responders are reviewing their preparedness to handle such situations. Kenya’s education system is grappling with unrest, student strikes, and an apparent failure to maintain adequate safety measures, leaving many to wonder what more can be done to prevent further tragedies.