By John Mugendi
The giant Ikuu Boys’ High School in Tharaka Nithi County has been closed indefinitely after students burnt three dormitories.
The students went on rampage at around 10:30 PM on Sunday before torching the dormitories that accommodated 480 boys.
Confirming the incident, School Principal, Mr Joseph Mbae said 35 students had been arrested on suspicion of leading the strike and were being questioned at Chuka Police Station.
He said by Monday morning no case of injury had been reported but the school could not fully account for 243 students who ran out after police shot in the air to disperse them.
“Three dormitories that accommodated 480 students have been completely burnt and 35 boys who were mentioned to have planned the strike have been arrested,” said Mr Mbae.
He said he saw a suspicious group of boys outside the dormitory through his CCTV office screen, about half an hour after the boys had gone to sleep.
He immediately rushed there together with other teachers and guards but could not stop them from breaking window panes compelling him to call the police.
The principal said after noticing that the police were delaying and the students were becoming more destructive, he drove to the police station and 30 minutes later came back with the officers only to find that the three dormitories had been burnt down.
He said in consultation with the Ministry of Education, the school board of management resolved to close the school indefinitely to avoid more destruction and the fact that the remaining dormitories cannot accommodate the 1030 students.
Students who spoke to journalists on condition that their names would not be revealed for fear of victimization said the problem is harsh prefects and very strict administration.
Ikuu Boys’ High School is one of the best performing in Mt Kenya East in both academic and extra-curricular activities.
