East African Standard, Nairobi, 25 July 2002

Ten Students to Be Charged With Arson

Police are holding 10 students from Kuoyo Kochia Secondary School in Homa Bay for questioning in connection with the torching of the school dormitory on Tuesday.

Acting Homa Bay Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) Ernest Warui said so far 40 students have recorded statements on the 2.30 am incident that left 20 students with slight injuries and eight mattresses destroyed.

Warui said the students were protesting against the school management's attempt to introduce caning as a way of enhancing discipline.

Last Friday, during the schools' annual general meeting, parents had resolved that caning be re-introduced in the school.

The students argued that caning had been banned by the Government and torched the dormitory. Quick action by the school watchman and other students saved the situation.

Area DC Hamasi Shivogo visited the school yesterday and appealed to the management to strengthen their guidance and counselling departments. Ten students will be charged after investigations are complete.