Govt Shuts Down All Boarding Schools in Gatundu South Over Suspected Arson Attacks
All boarding schools in Gatundu South, Kiambu County have been closed indefinitely after a series of arson attacks that have left several dormitories and school facilities destroyed.
In just one week, at least four schools have reported fire outbreaks, and parents are worried about the safety of their children and the mounting losses to schools.
Confirming the decision, Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe said the decision was reached after consultations with education officials and security agencies. He said closing the schools will give investigators space to track down those behind the attacks and prevent further destruction.
According to Kagombe, investigators are monitoring social media where students and accomplices are suspected to be circulating coded messages to plan the torching incidents.
“We have faced many challenges in Gatundu and after deliberation we agreed to close all schools to allow for a reset and thorough probe. Intelligence reports say students are using computer labs to spread information on how to burn schools,” Kagombe said.
He added that the closure was timed over the weekend, a period considered high-risk due to limited teacher supervision. “We realised weekends are particularly dangerous because students can take advantage of reduced monitoring,” he said.
The indefinite closure of boarding schools has raised concerns among parents and local leaders especially with national exams just weeks away.
“This will affect us and our children greatly. I have a candidate and we were told to pick up our children by 10am,” said Penina Mburu a worried parent.
She urged swift investigations, pointing out that dormitories, personal belongings and school facilities have already been destroyed.
Meanwhile, Term Three of the 2025 academic calendar started on Monday, August 25 and will run until Friday, October 24. Although it’s the shortest term of the year, it’s the most critical as it’s the national assessment season for candidates.
Two public holidays will fall within the term—Mazingira Day on October 10 and Mashujaa Day on October 20—but the sudden school closures in Gatundu South now threaten to disrupt this critical learning period.
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Govt Shuts Down All Boarding Schools in Gatundu South Over Suspected Arson Attacks