Education CS Fred Matiang'i Gives 48 Hrs To Officials Probing The Seven Dorms Burned In Kisii School

TSC chief executive Nancy Macharia and Education CS Fred Matiang’i inspect the burnt dorms in Kisii yesterday. PHOTO: COURTESY

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i yesterday ordered the security chiefs to speed up investigations into the torching of seven dormitories at Itierio Boys’ High School in Kisii on Saturday.

Speaking when he toured the school, he gave police and education officials 48 hours to complete investigations into the incident and hand over a report to his office.

“I have already asked some officers in the ministry to deal with this issue. Education officers and police should come up with a joint report with actionable recommendations,” he said. Matiang’i warned that action will be taken against those found culpable.

“This shocking and unprecedented destruction of property will not be entertained. No grievance is serious enough to justify the destruction witnessed here,” he said. Matiang’i urged teachers to reason with students and solve problems diplomatically. “If there is a problem, discuss with students and find a middle ground and improve school governance systems,” he said.

The CS said those found culpable will be dealt with – be it teachers or students. He was accompanied by the Teachers Service Commission chief executive office, Nancy Macharia, and Education PS Belio Kipsang. Macharia said she was disappointed by the destruction. She urged teachers to be tolerant about students’ needs. “Listen to what the students need through their council or gather intelligence,” she said. Macharia questioned how such an incident happened without students leaders and teachers’ knowledge.