School heads in Nakuru have been advised to engage counsellors for psychosocial support to manage the heightened tensions and unrests in schools.

County Director of Education Victoria Mulili the education department is closely monitoring the situation in schools and is ready to intervene where necessary should signs of tension arise.

While confirming the while the heightened anxiety among learners in the county following the recent tragedy at Utumishi Girls Senior Secondary the official said the Kenya Red Cross has made psychosocial support services available to institutions requiring assistance.

“Schools experiencing heightened tension can request counselling sessions to help learners and staff cope with the aftermath of the incident,” stated Ms Mulili.

The official spoke as five more schools in the cunty have been forced to shut their doors following a fresh wave of student unrest and fire incidents after the Utumishi Girls Senior School fire tragedy, which killed 16.

Moi Forces Academy Lanet, Nakuru Girls High school, St Josephs Seminary, Molo, Mary Mount School and Naivasha Girls High school are the latest schools to send the students home following unrests in the schools.

The closures, which come amid growing concerns about safety in learning institutions, bring the total number of affected schools to six, as authorities and schools scramble to restore order and investigate the cause of the unrest.

Moi Forces Academy in Lanet, released Grade 10 and Form 3 learners on June 3 following rumors of unrest.

In a text message to parents seen by Mtaa Wangu, the school administration confirmed that all learners had been released effective 3:20 p.m. that day, citing a reported security concern that could compromise student safety, with investigations said to be ongoing and parents to be notified once it was safe to resume classes.

They joined students from Naivasha Girls High School, which was also closed indefinitely on the evening of June 2 over an alleged arson plot.

The closures follow an earlier incident on May 30, when a fire broke out at St. Joseph Seminary Senior Secondary in Baraka, Molo Sub-County, destroying two student dormitories.

According to online reports, the blaze started at around 8 p.m., gutting beds, mattresses, books, school uniforms and other property. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported, as all students had been gathered in the school hall at the time the fire broke out.

In February this year, Solai Boys High School in Rongai sub-county reported unrest which resulted in the burning of a dormitory that accommodates 88 students, leaving several learners in shock and prompting investigations by education and security agencies.

In this case, three students were taken into police custody, with Form Three and Four students being temporarily sent home as investigations continued. Afterwards, parents of Form Three and Form Four students have been forced to pay Sh3,000 each as compensation for property damaged.

Nakuru County waives mortuary and postmortem bill for 16 students who perished in Utumishi Girls school fire tragedy

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Leleti Jassor