Preliminary investigations surrounding the fire at Alliance High School in Kikuyu on Wednesday night have revealed how some students executed the arson amid speculation that they may have been in communication with people outside the school to plan the unrest.
During an emergency early morning meeting at the school between parents and the school administration, it emerged that some students intending to cause disruption to learning were in contact with their peers from other schools, and some were agitated by their continued stay in school.
Alliance School fire: The store that was set ablaze by students
Sam Ncheeri, the chairperson of the Alliance High School Board of Management (BoM), revealed that tension had been building up in the school due to the recent reported cases of fire outbreaks in other boarding schools.
He said the decision to close the school on Thursday was to avert more damage after a fire destroyed a store containing mattresses and blankets.
Mr Ncheeri informed parents that the school administration had raised the alarm last week regarding the behaviour of some of boys, but the situation had not been anticipated to escalate to that level.
“You will go home with your sons. Get time with them, talk with your boys before they resume school. Listen to them. If any of them does not wish to be in this school, talk with the management,” Mr Ncheeri said, adding that among the students who set the fire on the mattresses had previously alleged that he was not happy being in the school.
Debris and damaged property at a storage facility following a fire at Alliance High School in Kikuyu, Kiambu County on June 4, 2026. School operations were suspended indefinitely as investigations into the incident continued.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
He informed the parents that 10 students had been arrested for causing disruption, and that they were recording statements with the police, which would aid detectives in probing the matter.
Influenced by colleagues in other schools
Central Regional Education Director Sabina Aroni told parents that the culprits who were arrested could have been influenced by their colleagues in other schools.
“We agreed that due to anxiety that might build up among students and parents, it is important that the students are released to go home. Parents have been asked to pick their sons,” Ms Aroni said.
Accordingly, the director stated that Alliance High School had been one of the most disciplined for years and hoped that the management would restore this and prevent any more attempts to burn school infrastructure.
Chief Principal David Kamau said that the incident started when some students interrupted the lighting in four classrooms during evening prep, which attracted the school's attention.
Students leave Alliance High School in Kikuyu, Kiambu County on June 4, 2026 after the institution announced an indefinite closure following a fire that destroyed a storage facility within the school compound.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
Some parents asked the administration not to allow the ten arrested students back into the school until a proper investigation had been carried out and the disciplinary process had been completed.
While the matter is still under investigation, the school board said that it will ensure the safety of students at the school, assuring parents that any disciplinary issues will be addressed properly.
Yesterday, the government maintained there would be no early closure of schools for the half-term break despite rising cases of school unrest.
The incident at Alliance High School comes just days after a deadly fire at Utumishi Academy claimed the lives of 16 students, triggering renewed debate over safety in boarding schools and the increased cases of unrest reported in institutions across the country.
Students leave Alliance High School in Kikuyu, Kiambu County on June 4, 2026 after the institution announced an indefinite closure following a fire that destroyed a storage facility within the school compound.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
Speaking during a prize-giving ceremony at The Kenya High School, Basic Education Principal Secretary Prof Julius Bitok dismissed calls for schools to break early for the midterm break, maintaining that learning remains uninterrupted in most parts of the country, with only “a few isolated incidents that are being addressed”.
Prof Bitok reaffirmed that schools will proceed with the academic calendar as planned and break for midterm from Wednesday, June 24 to Sunday, June 28, 2026.
The Principal Secretary said there was no justification for altering the school calendar, noting that the vast majority of schools across the country were operating normally despite isolated incidents reported in a few institutions.
“From our records, less than one per cent of schools have experienced unrest. The rest are continuing with learning normally, so there is no justification for closing schools early for the midterm break because of incidents in a very small number of institutions,” said Prof Bitok.
“Schools will continue learning until the scheduled midterm period. We are urging principals to be alert to early warning signs, as most of the unrest is linked to examinations. We have encouraged teachers and school administrators to engage learners through dialogue,” he added.
He added that any challenges affecting individual schools would be addressed through targeted interventions rather than blanket measures, and said the Ministry had encouraged school administrators to embrace dialogue and engagement with students, including postponing examinations where necessary to help ease tensions and maintain stability in learning institutions.
Debris and damaged property at a storage facility following a fire at Alliance High School in Kikuyu, Kiambu County on June 4, 2026. School operations were suspended indefinitely as investigations into the incident continued.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
“In some cases, rather than forcing students to sit examinations, schools can consider postponing them. We have also intensified audits, dialogue and consultations to address the situation and ensure learning continues uninterrupted,” said Prof Bitok.
His remarks come amid growing concern among parents over a series of school fire incidents across the country. The anxiety was heightened on Thursday when another fire broke out at Alliance High School, prompting police to arrest 10 students as investigations began and forcing the school to ask parents and guardians to collect their children.
Authorities said the students were arrested to assist with investigations into the fire, whose cause had not been officially established by Thursday evening. No casualties were reported, although officials were assessing the extent of the damage.
"As parents, we are worried about the safety of our children. After what happened at Utumishi Academy and now Alliance High School, I believe schools should close for the midterm break immediately to allow authorities to inspect dormitories and strengthen safety measures before students return," said Mary Gathoni a parent.
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers(KUPPET) Deputy Secretary General Moses Nthurima, said the recent incidents of unrest in schools should not be viewed in isolation, as they reflect the growing tensions being witnessed across the country.
"What students are doing is a reflection of society. When you look at what is happening on the streets, people are burning tyres, looting buildings and engaging in violence. The tension in the country is finding its way into our schools," he said.
He urged the Ministry of Education to reconsider its decision not to close schools early, saying the situation in learning institutions appears to be deteriorating.
"I believe schools need to be closed for the midterm break so that we can absorb the tension building within the student population. It has happened before, and I do not think we should wait for more casualties among our children," he said.
According to him, sending learners home temporarily would help ease pressure and reduce the risk of further incidents. He also argued that school principals are ill-equipped to deal with criminal behaviour and growing insecurity in schools.
"Let them go home, release the tension and come back. That would help alleviate the dangers that may arise if the situation continues unchecked. Principals are not policemen. They cannot deal with criminal activities.
The only practical solution for now is to allow learners to go home for a short break and return when the environment is calmer," he said.
Speaking to the Daily Nation, Prof Bitok said the Ministry of Education has ordered nationwide inspections in schools following a rise in fire incidents that have raised concern among parents and education stakeholders.
“We have ordered inspections in schools across the country within the next two weeks to establish what is happening on the ground and address emerging concerns before they escalate. We have also instructed schools to strengthen engagement with learners and deployed additional quality assurance officers to support them. Most schools remain stable, and we are doing everything possible to contain the situation and ensure learning continues uninterrupted,” Prof Bitok said.[email protected] [email protected]
