Schools closed after fresh violence erupts in Naivasha

Learning has been suspended in five institutions in Maella, Naivasha, after a group of youth set two public schools ablaze on Sunday night.

Night guards at the schools put out the fires as students, who had classes last week, were sent home.

The gang also burnt down a house and blocked Maella-Kongoni and Maella-Narasha roads, causing armed police officers to be dispatched to the area.

has been high in Maella in the past three weeks, after residents clashed over the control of Ng'ati Farmers' Co-operative Society.

Property belonging to directors of the land-buying company was burnt down leading to a crackdown and arrest of 25 suspects, including area MCA Mujing'a Kariuki.

A resident said those behind the attack were avenging the arrest of the suspects, some of whom were still in remand after failing to raise Sh1 million bond.

"All schools have been closed for the third week now and we fear that more attacks could be carried out if security is not intensified," Jane Muthoni said, adding some families were contemplating fleeing due to threats issued to them.

Speaking on phone, Naivasha subcounty assistant commissioner John Opondo described the attacks as "well-planned" adding it was "near impossible" to access the area after the two roads were cut off.

Opondo said the attackers targeted offices of the two secondary schools before barricading gates of primary schools.

"One house was burnt over the night but luckily no one was injured as the owner had fled before the attack," he said.

"We have called a security meeting in the area and those behind the latest attack will definitely face the full wrath of the law."

Naivasha subcounty education officer Kabaki Mbugua said learning in all the five schools in the area has been "completely paralysed" adding "we are not sure how long the situation will last."