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140 students counting losses after fire broke at Gendia Boys in Homa Bay

Fire started at 5am when students had gone to classes for morning preps.

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by TRACY MUTINDA

News01 November 2021 - 10:57
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In Summary


  • • Students reported that they heard a loud bang at one corner of the dormitory before it was followed by smoke then fire in the air.
  • • Some of the belongings that were destroyed included mattresses, blankets, books among others.
Some residents at the scene where fire burnt and destroyed properties of more than 140 students at Gendia Boys High School in Karachuonyo/ROBERT OMOLLO

More than 140 students at Gendia Boys High School in Karachuonyo Constituency are counting losses after a fire burnt their belonging in a dormitory.

The fire started at around 5 am when students had gone to classes for morning studies (preps).

The fire came at a time when similar incidences have been witnessed in some schools across the country.

Speaking to journalists over the matter, Rachuonyo North Sub-county police commander Sarah Chumo said the dormitory which is made out of iron sheets was set up by the school to reduce pressure in other dormitories.

This was after the government started implementing the 100 per cent school transition from primary to secondary.

Some of the belongings that were destroyed included mattresses, blankets, books among others.

“The structure was completely destroyed by fire and no student could manage to salvage anything within the room,” Chumo said.

Chumo said they are pleased no student was injured during the incident as they had woken up for morning studies.

“They had left for classwork in the morning when the fire suddenly broke out. Some students who were around the place managed to escape unhurt,” she added.

According to the police officer, they have launched investigations into what caused the fire.

She said students reported that they heard a loud bang at one corner of the dormitory before it was followed by smoke then fire in the air.

Chumo said some students tried to extinguish the fire in vain. They also want to establish the value of property loss in the fire incident.

Students were urged to stay away from the affected area to avoid getting hurt.

“My officers together with those from Kenya Power are on the ground to help in the investigations. We want to unearth what actually caused the fire,” she said. 

Edited by D Tarus


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