Taita Secondary School Closed After Students Go on Rampage, Burn Dorm

Taita Secondary School Closed After Students Go on Rampage, Burn Dorm

Taita Boys Secondary School in Kipkelion Sub-County, Kericho County, has been temporarily closed after students went on a rampage and set fire to a dormitory.

The incident occurred on the night of Wednesday, September 9, 2026, during unrest that forced school authorities to suspend learning as investigations into the cause of the disturbance begin.

Kericho County Education Director Julius Ngoneshi confirmed the incident on Thursday, September 10, saying education officials were assessing the situation following the overnight unrest.

Preliminary reports indicate that the students became agitated and moved around the school compound during the protest. Witness accounts further suggested that some learners attempted to set classrooms on fire but were stopped before the situation escalated.

Images circulating on social media showed smoke billowing from sections of the school as students reportedly moved across the compound.

Firefighters and emergency responders were dispatched to the institution after the dormitory caught fire. They managed to contain the blaze, although a significant section of the facility had already been damaged.

The full extent of the destruction was yet to be established by Thursday as education officials prepared to assess the affected facilities.

Cause of student unrest remains unclear

The exact cause of the students’ unrest had not been established.

Education officials are expected to investigate what triggered the protest and establish whether there were underlying grievances among the learners.

The temporary closure will also give authorities time to assess the school’s safety and determine when learning can resume.

The incident adds to growing concerns over student unrest, destruction of school property and fires in secondary schools across Kenya.

Jomo Kenyatta Boys also closed

The latest incident comes only seven days after Jomo Kenyatta Boys Senior School in Bahati, Nakuru County, was closed indefinitely following violent unrest.

The Nakuru incident occurred on Wednesday, September 2, after a contingent of armed police officers reportedly entered the institution at around 10pm and disrupted a scheduled entertainment session.

Reports indicated that police used tear gas and live ammunition while attempting to disperse students. Several learners were reportedly injured during the confrontation.

The students later went on a rampage and damaged school property.

The unrest was also linked to grievances surrounding changes in the school’s administration, although investigations were expected to establish the circumstances behind the incident.

Government seeks solutions to school unrest

The renewed cases of student unrest have placed renewed attention on the government’s efforts to address indiscipline, school fires and disruptions to learning.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced in June that the government would establish a multi-stakeholder team to examine the causes of unrest in schools and recommend long-term solutions.

The proposed team is expected to bring together parents, teachers, religious leaders, school sponsors and government officials.

Speaking during an event in Meru County on Sunday, June 28, Ogamba said the government wanted stakeholders to work together to understand the challenges facing learners.

“We’ve agreed that we are going to form a multi-stakeholder team to discuss the issues that are affecting our students in all our schools.”

The government has previously called for closer cooperation between schools, parents and communities in addressing student discipline and ensuring learners have safe environments.

For Taita Boys Secondary School, attention now turns to the investigation into the cause of the unrest, assessment of the damage and measures required before students can safely return to class.

Education authorities are expected to provide further direction on the reopening of the school after the situation has been assessed.

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Taita Secondary School Closed After Students Go on Rampage, Burn Dorm