Sacred Heart Girls’ Secondary School, Mirithu, Closed Indefinitely After Fire Torches Dormitory

Sacred Heart Girls’ Secondary School, Mirithu, Closed Indefinitely After Fire Torches Dormitory

Learning at Sacred Heart Girls’ Secondary School Mirithu has been brought to an abrupt halt after a devastating dormitory fire forced the institution to close indefinitely, raising fresh concerns over student safety and the rising trend of school fires across the country.

The incident, which occurred in Limuru, Kiambu County, left one of the school’s main dormitories completely destroyed, prompting the administration to issue an urgent notice directing parents to collect their children on Thursday, April 30. The communication did not indicate when learning would resume, leaving hundreds of learners and their families in uncertainty.

According to parents who spoke following the incident, the closure came as a shock, particularly given that the school had only just reopened for the second term. One parent recounted the sudden announcement, stating that “the school called and told us the school has shut down indefinitely, and we should come and pick up our children.”

The indefinite closure has now sparked anxiety among parents, many of whom fear additional financial burdens once the school reopens. Several expressed concern that they may be required to contribute towards reconstruction costs, even as some struggle to meet existing school fee obligations.

Another parent voiced these concerns, noting that “we are asking the school not to impose extra costs on us, because the school just opened from holidays yesterday, and some of the parents have not even completed paying for this term’s fees.” The sentiment reflects a broader worry among families already grappling with the high cost of education.

Beyond financial concerns, parents are demanding a thorough and transparent investigation into the cause of the fire. They argue that establishing the origin of the blaze is critical not only for accountability but also for restoring confidence in the safety of the learning environment.

In their appeal, some parents emphasized the need for long-term solutions, warning that repeated fire incidents in schools are creating fear among students. One parent urged authorities and stakeholders to act decisively, stating that “we need answers so that our children can feel safe and not live in fear of such incidents happening again.”

The scale of destruction has also triggered calls for support from well-wishers and the wider community. Parents say they lack the financial capacity to rebuild the destroyed dormitory and fear prolonged disruption to learning if reconstruction is delayed.

In an emotional appeal, another parent said “we are asking anyone who can help to please come to our aid. We do not have the money to rebuild the dormitory on our own, and every day that passes is a day our children fall further behind while other schools continue learning.”

The incident at Mirithu comes amid a worrying pattern of school fires reported in recent months. Less than 24 hours after the Limuru blaze, another fire was reported at Dr Aggrey High School in Taita Taveta County, further intensifying concerns over safety standards in learning institutions.

According to the Kenya Red Cross Society, emergency responders were deployed to contain the fire at Dr Aggrey High School, where images showed thick smoke billowing from a building believed to be a classroom as students and staff scrambled to safety.

Notably, the same institution had experienced a similar tragedy in 2025, when two dormitories were destroyed in a separate fire incident, leading to a temporary closure.

Education stakeholders have in the past called for stricter enforcement of safety regulations, including regular inspections of electrical systems and dormitory structures, to prevent such occurrences. The latest incidents are likely to renew pressure on authorities to strengthen preventive measures and ensure that schools are adequately equipped to handle emergencies.

As investigations into the Mirithu fire begin, the focus now shifts to accountability, recovery, and the urgent need to safeguard learners across the country. For affected students, however, the immediate concern remains uncertainty over when they will return to class—and under what conditions.

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Sacred Heart Girls’ Secondary School, Mirithu, Closed Indefinitely After Fire Torches Dormitory