A student at Magenka Mixed Secondary School in Magumoni, Tharaka Nithi County, allegedly set a dormitory on fire to avoid sitting for exams scheduled to begin on Thursday.
The student was seen leaving the classroom and heading to the dormitory, where he lit the building on fire, according to a CCTV camera in the Headmaster’s office.
The student was seen in the footage removing a matchstick before lighting multiple beds, which spread the fire throughout the hostel.
The boy later returned to class and sat innocently, acting surprised when the school broke the news of the inferno.
Following an investigation, the police discovered that the learner was not well prepared for exams, which caused him to panic and plan the incident in order to avoid sitting for the exams.
His wish was for the school to close and the pupils to be sent home.
After visiting the school, Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki addressed mourners at a burial in Magumoni, saying he received a call from the school that a dormitory had been burned down.
The Governor stated that it was unjust to send the students home.
“The students will remain in school and continue with the exams,” he said
“I urge parents to inform their children when it is time to report to school and to help them understand that exams are part of the curriculum,” he said.
Under the Children and Young Persons Act, the pupil has been detained and is being held in police custody.
