A devastating fire broke out at Nyambaria Boys High School in Nyamira County early Tuesday morning, May 27, leaving over 380 students displaced and their personal belongings destroyed.

The fire reportedly ignited around 4 a.m., while students were away in their classrooms for early morning prep. Videos and images shared on social media showed large flames and thick smoke rising from the school, with the blaze visible even from surrounding estates.

Fortunately, no casualties were reported, but the damage was extensive—students lost mattresses, uniforms, books, and other personal effects. The Nyamira County fire brigade responded promptly, managing to contain the blaze before it spread to nearby buildings.

Initial reports indicate that the destroyed dormitory was situated near the school's kitchen area. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire.

Nyambaria Boys High School, one of the country’s top-performing institutions, made national headlines in 2022 after all 488 candidates achieved an impressive mean score of 10.8975 in the KCSE exams.

This tragic incident comes amid a string of recent high school disturbances. Just a day earlier, students at Friends School Mbale in Vihiga County went on a rampage after being denied the opportunity to watch the Spanish La Liga final. The protest resulted in significant damage to the deputy principal’s office.

In response to the rising cases of school fires and unrest, Nairobi Regional Commissioner Katee Mwanza announced that the national government will soon roll out early warning systems in high-risk areas. Mwanza emphasized collaboration between the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) and local communities to improve disaster preparedness and fire response.

She also urged residents and institutions to stay vigilant and report fire incidents promptly to prevent loss of life and property.