Five students of Magereza Academy in Naivasha have been arraigned before a local court on charges of arson and malicious damage to school property worth Sh5 million.
The minors are accused of planning and executing an attack that torched a section of the school dormitory on the night of 5th May, 2026, forcing the institution with over 800 learners to close down abruptly.
The development comes barely a week after a court granted police 21 days to detain nine students from Utumishi Girls Academy, who face arson charges in connection with a fire that killed 16 of their schoolmates.
Appearing before Naivasha Principal Magistrate Wilson Rading with their faces covered, the five denied both charges.
Through their advocate, Mbugua Macharia, the minors sought release on personal bond, alleging mistreatment during their three-day police detention, including assault, denial of medical assistance, and restricted access to their parents.
Macharia argued that the students remained innocent until proven guilty and posed no flight risk, with their parents having committed to provide surety and ensure their court attendance.
State Prosecutor Joyce Sterling did not oppose the bail application.
Magistrate Rading released the five on a personal bond of Sh100,000 each. The case is set for mention on 1 July.
Meanwhile, school chairman Lawrence Mogaka confirmed the institution had been closed following the attack, which reduced one dormitory to ashes.
He noted that the DCI had arrested 13 students as part of ongoing investigations and warned that the administration would not tolerate criminal conduct.
“Following consultations between the Ministry of Education, the management, and the board, it was resolved to close the school due to the fire that destroyed the dormitory and the current situation affecting secondary schools in Kenya,” Mogaka said.
The fire incident comes barely two months after another inferno gutted down another section of the dormitory with students’ materials worth millions of shillings destroyed.
Since the Utumishi fire incident in Gilgil, tens of local and national schools have been closed as a result of heightened anxieties and fear of arson attacks by a section of students.
The Ministry of Education officials have rejected calls to announce an early midterm break to arrest the situation, noting that most of the institutions are continuing their learning.
The Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Prof. Julius Bitok, has cautioned students that those found culpable of creating mayhem and destruction of property in schools will be held personally responsible and will face the full wrath of the law.
By Erastus Gichohi
