A dormitory at Bishop Okoth Mbaga Girls High School in Siaya County has been destroyed by fire, just hours after Form Four students resumed learning following a temporary closure prompted by student unrest.

The fire broke out on Monday night during the first phase of the school’s reopening, with only KCSE candidates having been allowed back to continue their studies. All students were safely evacuated, and no injuries or fatalities were reported.

Preliminary reports indicate that the incident is being treated as a suspected case of arson, although investigators have not yet established the exact cause of the blaze.

The affected dormitory sustained extensive damage, with students losing personal belongings, including mattresses, school uniforms, textbooks, revision materials, and other essential items. The loss is expected to disrupt preparations for the national examinations as affected learners work to replace the destroyed materials.

The school had only recently reopened after being temporarily closed to allow education officials and the administration to address concerns arising from an earlier period of unrest. The phased return, beginning with Form Four students, was intended to restore normal learning while maintaining order within the institution.

Police officers and detectives visited the school shortly after the incident and have launched investigations to determine how the fire started and whether it was deliberately set. Authorities have not announced any arrests or identified suspects.

The latest incident adds to a growing number of dormitory fires and cases of student unrest reported in schools across the country in recent weeks. The trend has raised concerns among education stakeholders over the safety of learners and the increasing destruction of school property.

Education authorities have repeatedly warned that those found responsible for acts of arson in schools will face legal action. They have also urged students to resolve grievances through established school and education channels rather than resorting to violence or destruction of property.

As investigations continue, school administrators are assessing the extent of the damage and considering measures to ensure affected students are accommodated and learning continues with minimal disruption.