Panic and uncertainty have gripped parents and students after two separate school fire incidents forced the closure of learning institutions in different parts of the country.
Mirithu Girls Secondary School has been closed indefinitely after a dormitory fire completely destroyed one of its key student accommodation blocks.
Mirithu Girls Closed Indefinitely
The school administration issued a notice directing parents to pick up their children on Thursday, April 30, following the devastating incident.
According to parents, the communication did not indicate when learning would resume, leaving families anxious about the academic future of their children.
“The school called and told us the school has shut down indefinitely, and we should come and pick up our children,” one parent said.
The destruction of the dormitory has significantly disrupted operations, making it difficult for the school to continue normal learning activities.
Parents Fear Extra Financial Burden
Beyond safety concerns, parents are now worried about the potential financial implications once the school reopens.
Many fear they could be asked to contribute additional funds for reconstruction, despite already struggling with school fees.
“We are asking the school not to impose extra costs on us… some parents have not even completed paying for this term’s fees,” another parent stated.
The concerns highlight the broader economic strain many Kenyan families face, especially when emergencies arise in schools.
Calls for Investigation and Safety Assurance
Parents are also demanding a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire, emphasizing the need for accountability and improved safety measures.
They insist that learning should only resume once adequate safeguards are put in place to prevent similar incidents.
The incident has once again raised questions about fire preparedness in schools, including the availability of emergency exits, firefighting equipment, and proper safety protocols.
Appeal for Support to Rebuild
With the dormitory completely destroyed, parents have appealed to well-wishers and stakeholders to help rebuild the facility.
They warn that prolonged closure could severely disrupt learning, putting students at risk of falling behind academically.
“We do not have the money to rebuild the dormitory on our own… every day that passes is a day our children fall further behind,” a parent appealed.
Another Fire Hits Taita Taveta School
Less than 24 hours after the Mirithu incident, another fire broke out at Dr Aggrey High School.
The incident was confirmed by the Kenya Red Cross, which responded to the emergency.
Images from the scene showed a massive blaze engulfing part of the school, believed to be a classroom block, with thick smoke rising into the sky.
Students and teachers were seen scrambling for safety, while efforts were made to contain the fire.
Recurring Fire Incidents Raise Alarm
This is not the first time Dr Aggrey High School has experienced such a tragedy.
In 2025, the institution was closed indefinitely after two dormitories were destroyed by fire in February, forcing all students to be sent home.
The recurrence of such incidents is now raising serious concerns about school safety standards across the country.
Growing Concern Over School Safety in Kenya
The back-to-back fire incidents have reignited national debate over student safety in boarding schools.
Stakeholders are calling for:
- Improved fire safety infrastructure
- Regular inspections by authorities
- Stronger emergency preparedness measures
- Accountability for school management
With schools reopening for a new term, many parents are now demanding reassurance that their children are safe within learning institutions.
Conclusion
The fires at Mirithu Girls and Dr Aggrey High School serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within school environments.
As investigations begin and recovery efforts take shape, attention now turns to ensuring that such incidents are prevented in the future—and that affected students can return to safe and stable learning conditions as soon as possible.