Five students arrested over Masaani girls dormitory fire

 

Five students have been arrested over a fire that razed a dormitory at Masaani Girls secondary school on November 5, 2021.

Their arrest followed the conclusion of investigations by detectives from the Machakos DCI office.

In a statement Tuesday, the National Police Service said that the five are believed to be involved in setting ablaze a dormitory at the school leading to the destruction of students' and school property estimated to be worth Sh4 million.

The NPS said that they will be charged in court for arson and other related offences.

"It is worth noting that contrary to some myths and believes, being a student does not absolve one from criminal responsibility. Arson is a serious offence and is punishable by life imprisonment," NPS tweeted.

The police said it will not spare anyone involved in the acts leading to school fires, including those selling petroleum products to the students.

CRIMINAL ACTS

The service called on its officers the many recent cases of school fires are quickly investigated so that the perpetrators can be brought to book.

NPS asked parents and teachers to always remind students that any form of crime is punishable.

"We ask parents and teachers to continuously remind students on the wages of every act of criminality."

This is one of the many cases of school fires that hit the country from August 2021.

Some of the schools that have had fire incidences reported include; Buru Buru Girls, Maranda High, Kakamega High, Ofafa Jericho, Jamhuri and Kerugoya among many other schools.

On November 20, Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha said the country witnessed 126 cases of school unrest between January to November 11, 2021.

In a statement tabled before the National Assembly by Education Committee, the government said it had so far taken to court 41 suspects who are being processed for various charges.

Some 302 students had also been arrested in connection with the recent school fires.    BY THE STAR