Students Hospitalized After Fire Destroys Dormitories at Matungulu Boys Secondary School
Several students were hospitalized after a late-night fire broke out at Matungulu Boys Secondary School in Kangundo, Machakos County, causing massive destruction and sparking serious concern among parents, school administrators, and education stakeholders.
The fire incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, January 26, 2026, catching students off guard as they slept in their dormitories.
According to initial reports, at least 15 students sustained injuries while trying to escape the raging flames and were rushed to Kangundo Level 4 Hospital for medical treatment.
Most of the injuries were reportedly caused by smoke inhalation, panic, and stampede as learners scrambled to safety.
The blaze completely destroyed three dormitories, reducing them to ashes. Beds, mattresses, books, uniforms, bedding, and other personal belongings were all lost in the inferno.
More than 300 students were left without essential school items, creating an immediate crisis for both the school and affected families.
Although the cause of the fire has not yet been established, the scale of destruction has raised serious questions about the school’s safety standards and its ability to continue normal learning in the coming days.
The destroyed dormitories form a significant part of the school’s infrastructure, and their loss is expected to disrupt learning programs and accommodation arrangements.
Parents who live near the school and those who arrived at the scene expressed anger, frustration, and deep concern over the incident.
Some parents blamed rising cases of unrest in schools, calling for stronger discipline and closer engagement between parents, teachers, and students.
One parent, Joash Mulwa, who resides close to the institution, strongly condemned the destruction, describing the losses as painful and unnecessary.
“We are not pleased with what these boys have done. We have seen the heavy losses incurred,” Mulwa said.
He urged parents to take responsibility by speaking to their children and discouraging destructive behavior.
“This idea of burning up schools needs to end. Parents must talk to their children,” he added.
Similar concerns were echoed by Sila Mutiso, the Chairperson of the Parents Association in Machakos County, who described the damage as overwhelming and financially draining. Mutiso warned that the cost of rebuilding and replacing lost property would ultimately fall on parents.
“The damage that is here is massive, and these expenses will definitely go back to the parents,” Mutiso said, calling on students to embrace discipline and respect school property.
Beyond the fire incident, Mutiso also raised concerns about declining academic performance at the institution, suggesting that the fire may be a symptom of deeper challenges within the school.
“Education at Kangundo has been going down for a few years. As parents’ leaders, we now need to seriously relook at what is happening here,” he said.
“What you are seeing today is just the tip of the iceberg.”
Following the incident, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrived at the school to assess the damage, examine the scene, and collect evidence. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire and whether it was accidental or deliberate.
As investigations continue, parents and education officials are calling for enhanced safety measures, counseling for students, and urgent dialogue to prevent similar incidents in the future and restore stability at the school.
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