Maranda School closed following dormitory fires

By Maureen Odiwour

Maranda High School has been closed indefinitely after a fire destroyed a second dormitory, in less than a week.

The institution’s 1,500 students were told to go home, with a promise that they would be informed about the date to report back.

Siaya Education County Director, Nereah Olik, said they arrived at the decision to allow the tension that had built up in the school to subside.

Two dormitories have been completely destroyed, in addition to students’ belongings.

Ms Olik told the students they would be informed through the media, on the date to return to school after the situation has calmed down.

Bondo OCPD, Paul Kiarie, said two people have been arrested over the incident believed to be an arson attack.

Students arrested the first suspect, disguised in prefects’ uniform, after he was spotted fleeing the burning dormitory, which houses 150 students. He then named the second suspect.

suspects arrested
“The first suspect we arrested said they had been a group and mentioned one more who we are questioning,” Mr Kiare said.

The students beat the first suspect, and seriously injured him. He was rescued and later handed over to the police.

The Principal, Boaz Owino, told the students that it was important to close the school.

“The students are stressed following the fires and the Board of Governors resolved to send them home as the school reorganises accommodation,” said Mr Owino, adding that the incidents were a crisis, which should be handled appropriately.

He revealed that the school would ensure all students reached home especially those from the Ayany Dormitory whose properties had been destroyed.

Donation
Last Sunday, a dormitory was razed down. The building was housing 283 students, and was named Owino, after the current principal, Boaz Owino.

Friday, a member of Bondo Constituency Development Fund Ouma Onyango pledged the kitty would donate Sh1 million for reconstruction.

Some Form Four students, however, were not happy with the closure arguing they should have been allowed to prepare for exams.

A parent, Samwel Okumu, said they do not understand why the fires would occur.

Okumu was, however, of the view that Form Four students should be allowed to stay. The institution was the top school in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, last year.