Efforts by Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera to seek the audience of rioting Kivaywa Boys High School following a fire incident in one of the dormitories turned violent when one of the delinquents shattered his car’s windscreen.
The lawmaker had paid the school a visit on Sunday evening at around 9:00 p.m. after he was tipped about the fire incident that consumed one of the dormitories, led to the destruction of property of unknown value, and displaced at least 280 students.
The MP, in a post on his Instagram account, said a band of unruly students was mobilizing others to block the fire engine and impede rescue operations.
“I remained firm until I calmed the situation. 280 students lost everything,” read part of the post.
Mr. Nabwera said five students were arrested in connection with the crime as investigations continue.
“Colleagues, I have had a tough evening. The best school in my constituency, Kivaywa High School, with 1400 students, has had one of its dormitories burned by students,” he wrote in a WhatsApp message.
“Leaving the school now. But with assistance of the local community, we have apprehended five students who are crucial suspects. One has accepted. Discipline in schools is such a big challenge.”
Crisis meeting
Earlier today, the MP, who was accompanied by Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula, Kakamega Woman Rep Elsie Muhanda, Lwandeti Ward MCA Pius Balex, and other leaders, convened a meeting at the school to find a solution to the crisis.
The meeting sought to quell tensions and help with the resumption of learning. The leaders agreed not to close the extra-county institution and pledged to help the affected learners recover their belongings and continue with their studies.
According to a report by the MP’s communication officer sent to WhatsApp groups, the lawmaker asked police to speed up their investigation into the cause of the incident and take action against the culprits.
Mr. Nabwera, who is a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Education, paid a visit to the school on Sunday evening in an attempt to intervene in the matter.
The first-time MP lamented the rising cases of indiscipline in schools in his constituency.
A similar incident was reported at St. Peter’s Mumias Boys, where one dormitory was burned by suspected students around the same time.
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Watoto watakupaka matope Mhesh Nabii