Members of Parliament want the recent surge in school fires experienced in public secondary schools investigated.
This week almost five public secondary schools witnessed fire incidences across the country.
They include Maranda High, Kakamega High, Mwala Girls, Nyamira Boys and Nambale High.
In a question submitted to Parliament, Kaloleni MP Paul Katana wanted investigations to be conducted to determine the cause of the arson attacks.
“What mechanisms has the Ministry put in place to establish the root cause of incidences of arson in public secondary schools in Kaloleni and to further forestall any new occurrences?” he said.
Katana further urged Education CS George Magoha to explain the compensation policy for razed structures.
“What measures has the Ministry put in place in meeting the cost of renovating the razed down facilities in order to ease the financial burden already incurred by parents and guardians,” Katana said.
For instance, the burnt dormitory at Buruburu Girls will cost approximately Sh2.2 million to pay for damages incurred the fire case.
Each parent of the 1,466 students will have to pay Sh1, 500.
The legislator further inquired whether the compressed school calendar has also fueled the fire incidences.
Indimuli Kahi, the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association chairman, said that the nine-month closure of schools could have contributed to the return of arson attacks in schools.
He said boys were probably working, while others ran small businesses or even worked with their parents.
Kahi added that this makes it hard for them to readjust to strict school routines.
The Ministry of Education has set the date for a half-term break for secondary schools in the country for November 19.
Education Principal Secretary Julius Jwan said in a statement to all Regional Directors of Education and all County Directors of Education on Tuesday that the break will end on November 23.
Other institutions that have experienced fires include Sigalame Boys High School, Moi Girls Marsabit, Kabarak High School, and Gendia Secondary School.
The Ministry said the revision of the term dates was in a bid to normalize the school calendar which was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
