On the night of July 7, 2026, more than 100 students at Hobunaka Boys High School in Vihiga County faced a devastating loss as a fire engulfed one of the school’s dormitories, turning millions of shillings worth of property to ashes.
The fire erupted swiftly, spreading throughout the dormitory before students, along with nearby residents, launched a courageous effort to extinguish the flames using buckets of water and makeshift tools.
Despite their brave attempts, the fire consumed the building, destroying mattresses, books, school uniforms, and personal belongings.
Witnesses reported that the flames completely overtook the dormitory in a remarkably short time, leaving over 100 students without shelter.
There are allegations that a group of students set the dormitory ablaze after being denied permission to watch the World Cup match between Argentina and Egypt that evening.
As of the latest updates, the school administration had not confirmed this claim.
Attempts to reach the school management for comments were unsuccessful, as both the principal and deputy principal were reportedly engaged with security agencies and education officials to coordinate the response.
County firefighters arrived on the scene later and successfully contained the blaze, although the dormitory had already suffered extensive damage.
This incident highlights rising concerns regarding student unrest in schools across the nation. In recent weeks, several institutions have reported incidents of vandalism and arson linked to disputes over school regulations and extracurricular activities.
Parents who hurried to the school expressed their shock at the destruction and urged the Ministry of Education to take action to address the increasing unrest in secondary schools.
By Tuesday night, the school had arranged for the displaced students to stay in other dormitories and classrooms as temporary accommodations.
Police have initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and to assess whether it was indeed an act of arson, as alleged. Authorities are also focused on identifying those responsible if foul play is confirmed.
