Kakamega High school slaps parents with Sh21 million damages bill

Kakamega High School parents have been slapped with a bill of Sh21.6 million for damages caused by students who burned the school on November 6.

According to a November 11 notice on the resumption of learning after the fire, the school board of management decided to transfer the cost to parents.

“As per the Ministry of Transport Infrastructure Housing, Urban development and Public Works report on the burnt dormitory, the Bill of Quantities done as per assessment by the public works officer stands at Sh12,185,540,” read part of the notice signed by the board secretary Gerald Orina.

Kakamega High school slaps parents with Sh21 million damages bill Pulse Live Kenya

The cost of the CCTV installation in the building is estimated at Sh 695,420. The cost of 280 double decker beds was put at Sh4,194,400.

Total cost for the items of the 560 students damaged by the fire is estimated at Sh4,536,000.

Each student will therefore be expected to report with Sh9,823 as cost to cater for the damages.

The learning will resume in phases, with Form 4 class reporting on November 15, Form 1 on November 21, Form 2 on November 23 and Form 3 on November 25.

The school will donate a mattress, two blankets and two bed sheets to the students whose items were burnt in the fire.

There were no casualties in the early morning fire because pupils were already out for morning preps when the fire erupted.

The numerous school fires have raised concern about who is to blame.

More than 11 public boarding schools in various parts of the country have been closed indefinitely after fire targeting dormitories.

Some experts are pushing for open forums in schools, where teachers and students can discuss their issues, before students feel the need to take drastic and destructive measures.