Agoro Sare High School Dormitory Gutted by Fire During Parents’ Visiting Day as Fresh School Unrest Fears Emerge
A dormitory at Agoro Sare High School in Homa Bay County was destroyed by a fierce fire on Saturday, June 6, in a dramatic incident that unfolded while parents were visiting their children, sparking fresh concerns over a growing wave of school fires and unrest across the country.
The blaze erupted on Saturday afternoon as hundreds of parents were still within the school compound for the scheduled visiting day. Witnesses described scenes of panic and confusion as thick plumes of smoke billowed into the sky and students scrambled to salvage their belongings from the burning structure.
Videos circulating on social media and seen by local media outlets captured the moment flames engulfed the dormitory, with students rushing in and out of the building carrying mattresses, suitcases, and personal effects.
Some learners were seen attempting to extinguish the fire before emergency responders arrived, while others watched helplessly from a distance as the inferno rapidly spread through the building.
Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were immediately reported following the incident.
The cause of the fire had not been established by Saturday evening, with authorities expected to launch investigations to determine the circumstances that led to the outbreak.
One parent, who had attended the visiting day, recounted the frightening ordeal.
“We had just come for the visiting day and were almost leaving when we saw smoke and flames coming from the dormitory. It was a very shocking experience,” the parent said.
It remained unclear whether the school administration would allow students to remain in school or whether some learners would be sent home pending further assessments of the damage.
Latest Incident in Growing Wave of School Fires
The Agoro Sare fire is the latest in a string of troubling incidents that have rocked learning institutions across Kenya in recent weeks, reigniting concerns about student unrest and safety in boarding schools.
On the same day, students at a school in Kisii County were reportedly sent home following a fire incident on Friday night that destroyed the school captain’s room.
Meanwhile, Kakamega High School also experienced a fire on Friday evening, prompting administrators to close the institution and send learners home as a precautionary measure.
In Bungoma County, another school was reportedly closed after students allegedly threatened to torch school property. Witnesses reported seeing learners leaving the institution late into Saturday evening following the abrupt closure.
Education stakeholders have expressed concern over the increasing number of fire incidents and cases of unrest being reported in schools during the second term.
Tragedy at Utumishi Girls Still Fresh
The latest incident comes just days after the devastating fire at Utumishi Girls High School in Gilgil, a tragedy that claimed the lives of 16 students and left several others nursing injuries.
The disaster prompted the Ministry of Education to launch fresh inspections of boarding schools across the country, with officials seeking to ensure institutions comply with safety regulations governing dormitories and boarding facilities.
Lawmakers, education experts, and parents have since urged the government to reconsider the current school calendar, arguing that prolonged academic pressure and exhaustion could be contributing factors to the rising cases of unrest.
However, the Ministry of Education has maintained that there are no plans to alter the academic calendar.
Instead, education officials have called on school administrators, teachers, and students to strengthen dialogue and communication channels within institutions, arguing that many of the disputes leading to unrest can be resolved through engagement and understanding.
Investigations into the Agoro Sare High School fire are ongoing.
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