Four Chuka students charged with arson

Four students were on Tuesday arraigned before a Chuka Court and charged with attempted arson after they were suspected of plotting to torch a dormitory.

The four KunguuniSecondary School students in Chuka Igambang’ombe, pleaded guilty before Senior Principal Magistrate Alfred Kibiru.

The court heard that John Murimi, Samuel Mutembei, Elijah Mutugi and Morris Njagi were found in possession of five liters of petrol outside their class during the evening preps.

The four will remain in police custody until July 14th, 2016 when their case will be heard and determined.

Late June, Education Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i said any student involved in burning of school property should be arrested, prosecuted and jailed.

Speaking at Ngara Girls School during a prize giving ceremony, the Education CS revealed that in Meru County alone, cases of arson had been reported in 64 schools in three years.

“On this we are united. I have been in constant conversation with my colleague General Nkaissery, the police and everybody. The students should be arrested, prosecuted and jailed. The arrests have been happening, three students were taken to court yesterday. I know there are several others who have been arrested and investigations are underway,” said Matiang’i.

In recent months, there has been a wave of schools arson have gripped the country resulting to the loss of school property worth millions of shillings.

Additional information by Kendi Njeru