Inferno Destroys Dormitory at Kaplong Girls as Students Suspected of Arson

A fire on Saturday evening reduced a dormitory at Kaplong Girls National School in Bomet County to ashes, leaving hundreds of students without belongings.

The blaze, which broke out around 6:30 p.m., razed the entire dormitory before firefighters arrived. The cause of the fire has not been established, though preliminary reports suggest it may have been started by students.

Residents who saw thick smoke rising from the school rushed to help.

“We saw smoke billowing from the school and heard students screaming for help. When we arrived, the entire dormitory was already engulfed in flames,” said Gideon Langat, a Kaplong resident.

He added that despite their efforts to fight the fire using buckets and jerricans, it spread too fast.

The county fire engine arrived after the blaze had already died down. No injuries were reported.

According to Joan Chepkirui, the school administration quickly moved students away from the scene to prevent anyone from attempting to retrieve their belongings.

“Teachers did their best to keep the girls safe, and that’s why we didn’t record any injuries,” Chepkirui said.

Nothing was salvaged from the dormitory, and all student property was destroyed.

A visibly shaken Principal Clare Langat declined to speak to the media as she watched the remains of the dormitory smoulder.

Bomet County Police Commander Edward Imbwaga confirmed that investigations have been launched.

“Our officers are conducting interviews with teachers, students, and other staff to establish the cause of the fire. A detailed report will be released tomorrow,” he said.

If confirmed to be an act of arson, the incident would add Kaplong Girls to the growing list of schools in Bomet County grappling with student unrest.