Ndeiya: Learning has resumed at Mirithu Girls' Secondary School in Ndeiya, Kiambu County, after a weeklong closure following a fire incident in which a dormitory was gutted and students' personal belongings destroyed. Students have started reporting back to the school in phases under the supervision of the school administration and government authorities as efforts to restore normal learning continue.
According to Kenya News Agency, temporary facilities, including tents, have been erected within the school compound to accommodate affected learners as reconstruction plans are put in place. The fire broke out on the night of April 29 and razed one of the dormitories, destroying beds, uniforms, books, and other personal effects belonging to students who had just resumed learning for the second term. Preliminary investigations indicate that the inferno may have been caused by an electrical fault in the dormitory. Firefighters from Kiambu County responded to the incident and managed to contain the blaze before it spread to other buildings within the institution. No casualties were reported during the incident as students were attending evening preps in their classrooms when the fire broke out.
Limuru MP John Kiragu said leaders and well-wishers had moved in to support the affected students as learning resumes. "Following the unfortunate fire incident that destroyed a dormitory at Mirithu Girls Secondary School, we have donated 100 mattresses and a 20,000-litre water tank to the school as students resume studies," said Kiragu. He said the support was aimed at helping the affected learners regain comfort and dignity as they continue with their studies despite the difficult circumstances. Kiragu also thanked individuals and organizations that had shown solidarity with the school following the incident.
School authorities have since assured parents and students of enhanced safety measures to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents. The reopening comes amid growing concerns over the increasing number of fire incidents reported in learning institutions across the country. Earlier this year, Matungulu Boys Secondary School was closed indefinitely after a fire destroyed four dormitories, leaving more than 300 students without bedding, uniforms, and learning materials. At least 15 students were injured in the Matungulu incident, while four students were later arrested after investigations linked them to the fire.
Parents have called for regular inspection of electrical systems in schools and increased investment in fire preparedness measures, including installation of firefighting equipment and sensitization of learners on fire safety. Authorities are continuing with investigations into the cause of the Mirithu Girls dormitory fire as the school works towards full restoration of normal operations.