Two Kisumu schools appeal for help after fire razes dormitories

Nyabondo Boys High School and Otieno Oyoo High School in Kisumu County have appealed to well-wishers for donations in cash and kind after the boys’ dormitories were burnt down in separate fire incidents earlier this week.

Over 190 learners from the two schools lost valuables in the inferno, including uniforms, beddings and blankets, as well as food and other personal belongings.

The DCI officers are camping at the affected institutions to investigate the cause of the fire.

 In an interview on Wednesday, the Nyabondo Boys High School Principal, Jared Opanga said 95 students were affected and lost all their property in the blaze.

“On a normal day, the capacity of the dormitory is 100. But for tonight, the students who slept there were 95 in number and all of them lost their property,” Opanga said.

He also said the school was grateful that all the students were safe and unharmed as the incident occurred in the morning when the boys had settled for the dawn studies.

“We thank God that no student was injured in the inferno. After that, we called all the students and accounted for each one of them. We took a roll call and noticed that they were all safe,” Opanga said.

In a heartfelt appeal for assistance from well-wishers, he said the school was overwhelmed as the students lost literally everything.

“We are calling for assistance, especially on mattresses, bed sheets, and blankets to settle the boys today. At least we have some two empty classrooms. We will be able to settle them in the meantime. We also have extra beds.  But whatever they are going to use, and their toiletries, those are the things we don't have,” Opanga appealed.

In the neighboring Otieno Oyoo High School, the Deputy Principal Jairus Orandi said that although no life was lost in the incident, 100 students lost all their belongings to the midnight inferno.

“I want to thank God that not a single student was burned in the dormitory. Sadly, we had 2 injuries out of a stampede as the boys were running in and out of the burning building to salvage their property,”.

 The fire incidents occurred barely two weeks after schools opened for third term, and most learners would be having foodstuffs and personal effects to last them for at least half term, if not the whole term.