A record 114 schools have been set ablaze across the country.
Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has been on the receiving end following the worst outbreak of arson attacks, with calls for closure of schools dominating headlines.
A section of students, in their own words, have revealed why they have been burning their schools.
Some say the stiff measures to curb exam cheating led them to execute the arsons.
“At a time like now in the academic calendar, candidates would have started collecting money and organising how they are going to get the final examination papers but this is not the case this year,” said a student from Adega Mixed School in Homa Bay, as quoted by the Nation.
Dr Matiang’i banned third term prayers in schools and visiting in a bid to tame exam cheating.
Over 5,000 2015 KCSE results were cancelled due to exam irregularities, which also led to disbandment of Knec exam board.
A Form Four student at Rongai Agri-Tech Boys High School said the protests were also sparked by poor diet.
15 students were last week arrested for arson. The student also revealed that the extension of second term dates has contributed to the torching of schools.
According to Nation, a Form Four student at Ololulung’a Boys High school in Narok County said being stopped from taking food to the dorms, watching TV, having tea on specific days, and demands that the principal and some teachers be transferred, angered them.
The school was closed indefinitely last week following student unrest.
Some students from Njonjo Girls’ High School blamed the unrest in their school to poor diet.
“We have poor diet where one loaf of bread is shared among six girls for breakfast. We found it unfair as the teachers eat well. As a way of teaching the principal a lesson, we decided to torch the institution,” they said.
The government has however remained defiant, saying schools will not be closed despite the widespread fires.
Deputy President William Ruto and CS Matiang’i have said they will not bow to pressure from teachers’ unions and the opposition to have schools closed before the stipulated closure dates.