25 students arrested in arson probe as 29 secondary schools in Gatundu South are shut down indefinitely

29 boarding secondary schools in Gatundu South Constituency have been closed indefinitely after a wave of arson attacks swept through the area, barely weeks into the third term. At least 25 students have already been arrested in connection with the incidents.

According to investigators, the unrest was carefully coordinated through social media, with Instagram flagged as a key platform where plans were hatched during the recent school holidays. Authorities say the attacks appear to have been driven by a mix of grievances, ranging from strict frisking rules at the gates and tougher exam regulations, to unusual demands such as pushing reporting hours to between noon and 4pm.

By Friday, parents and guardians streamed into affected institutions, including Mururia Boys’ High School, Ucekeini Girls, Gathiru Boys and Muhoho Boys, where fires had destroyed key facilities and brought learning to a standstill.

The decision to shut down all boarding schools in the sub-county, officials said, was made to prevent further escalation amid fears the unrest could spread to other schools if not contained.

With national examinations drawing closer, the closures have sparked concern among parents, who are now calling for urgent measures to restore order and protect the academic calendar from further disruption.