Of course, the torching of dormitories is not mono-causal. Many factors contribute to the contagion.
At the same time, we must accept that the media must report the burning of schools, as this is an important issue of public interest. Arson is also a serious crime equivalent, in terms of punishment—it carries a life sentence—to manslaughter, misprision of treason, sedition and trafficking in narcotics. And when a person is burned to death, it can amount to a murder case, punishable by death. The media cannot ignore a crime of such enormity.
What we need is to balance the public interest in publishing news about the school arsonists and reducing copycat behaviour.
All manner of explanations have been given as the cause of the series of school arsons that have swept across the country in the past eight weeks.
The explanations have ranged from the recent rules and regulations introduced by Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i to poor school management.
