Some of the belongings salvaged after fire razed Sigoti girls dormitory in Nyakach. Kisumu county police investigators say the arson attack roots to community feuds around the school. [Photo|Standard]
Police in Nyakach Sub County of Kisumu are closing in on a suspect believed to have started the fire that razed down a dormitory at Sigoti Girls High School on Saturday.
Kisumu County Commissioner Maalim Mohammed said preliminary reports have revealed that the suspect was seen fleeing from the scene of crime shortly before the fire broke out.
The suspect is said to have set the dormitory a blaze from across the fence following a failed attempt on another dormitory the previous day.
The County Commissioner ruled out electrical fault saying police were treating it as arson.
"Our public works officers have combed the building and ruled out any electrical fault," he said.
Speaking to the media after a meeting with sub county education heads and the county security intelligence committee, Maalim said investigations have revealed that inter clan feuds have been witnessed at the school adding that the scenario could be behind the arson attempt.
He faulted the school management for failing to report the matter to security officers adding that investigations have been launched and all those involved shall face the full arm of the law.
Measures, he said have been put in place to enhance security of students in all schools in the county urging school heads to adhere to safety measures put in place by the education ministry.
"We have information that some school heads are not residing in their respective schools as required. Therefore we are going to undertake random checks and take action appropriately," he said.
The County Commissioner further directed quality assurance officers to take an audit of all schools and boarding facilities in the county to ensure that they conform to the set standards.
Some dormitories, he said were congested and lacked basic facilities like fire extinguishers exposing thousands of students to risk.
"We are lucky the fire at Sigoti broke out during the day. Had it been at night we would be talking about something else," he said.
The national government, he disclosed has this financial year disbursed Sh135 million to decongest boarding schools in the county adding that Sigoti Girls has received Sh10 million to construct a new dormitory.