Vihiga: Mbale High Students Set Dorm on Fire After Being Denied Chance to Watch Football Match
- A seemingly simple disagreement between a teacher and students at Mbale Boys High School triggered chaos that spiralled into a violent strike
- The angry students went on the rampage and set ablaze one of the dormitories, leaving behind a trail of destruction
- Police officers from the nearby station had to intervene with tear gas to quell the rioting students, who were later sent home indefinitely
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Mbale Boys High School in Vihiga County was set on fire on Sunday night, May 25, by students allegedly protesting a ban on watching football and other unresolved grievances.
Source: UGC
In a dramatic turn of events, the students torched school property and hurled their lockers onto the Mbale–Chavakali road, partially paralysing the flow of traffic.
What caused Mbale High School strike?
A source told TUKO.co.ke that the unrest began after students disagreed with one of the teachers, sparking outrage that quickly escalated into chaos.
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What began as a simple confrontation quickly grew into a full-blown strike as the students used motorbike fuel to start the fire.
Witnesses described scenes of confusion and destruction, with plumes of smoke rising from the school compound and scattered belongings strewn across the highway.
Vehicles were damaged, a wall fence brought down, and buildings were razed as security officers struggled to contain the situation, but tensions remained high late into the night.
How many were injured in Mbale High strike?
Motorists were forced to find alternative routes as the students blocked the busy road and engaged in running battles.
One teacher is said to be in critical condition after being attacked and was rushed to a nearby health facility.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that several students were also injured and are currently receiving treatment.
In the wake of the chaos, property of unknown value was destroyed, with investigations underway to ascertain the extent of the damage.
Source: Facebook
MP Clement Sloya condemns Mbale High strike
Vihiga Member of Parliament Clement Sloya visited the school and expressed his disappointment at the incident.
He noted that apart from the dormitory, the students also vandalised the computer laboratory and food store.
"The students went overboard over something that could have been resolved so easily. It is unfortunate that these are items we resourced the school with from our pockets, and now they are all gone," he told the media.
As of the time of filing this report, the school administration had sent all the students home as they assessed the damage.
The board is expected to hold a meeting in the coming days to review the issue and decide the way forward.
Mbale High School teachers address fire incident
Speaking to the press, Mbale High School management confirmed that students burnt a dorm, destroyed other properties around the school last night.
The school also detailed that all students had been asked to go home following the fracas, adding that the board would soon meet to determine the next course of action.
"...until next week, when the board will meet and deliberate on this matter. However, today we have communicated to the parents about the indefinite closure of the school. After the board meets, the parents will be informed of the time when the students will be readmitted back to the institution," a teacher said.
Another staff member expressed his disappointment with the students, saying they had vandalised and destroyed property and learning materials of great value.
"It is quite unfortunate because this is the infrastructure that we dug into our pockets to construct has now been brought down by students who are complaining about something that would have been solved by the board," he said.
St Teresa's Bikeke Boys' demand transfer of principal
In an unrelated incident, learning at St. Teresa's Bikeke Boys' Secondary School in Trans Nzoia was disrupted on Monday, May 12, after students went on a rampage.
The students started rioting at 3 am as they demanded the transfer of their principal, who had been at the school for barely six months.
A teacher at the school told TUKO.co.ke that the school lost property of unknown value during the trail of destruction.
The students later marched to the Ministry of Education offices in Kitale town to present their grievances.
Racheal Nyaguthie, HoD Human Interest, added details on Mbale High School teachers speaking.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
