Police link Eldoret principal to fire at his school

Police in Eldoret have linked a school principal to a fire incident at his school that destroyed a dormitory and students’ property as a wave of arson attacks rock the country’s learning institutions.

According to Eldoret West police boss Samuel Mutunga, preliminary investigations showed that the Leseru High School administration had a hand in the Wednesday night fire.

Principal Shadrack Ng’etich was arrested and detained at the Eldoret Police Station in Uasin Gishu County where he also recorded a statement.

He was arrested alongside two security guards attached to the school.

Mr Mutunga confirmed that Mr Ng’etich was arrested so as to allow investigations to be carried out at the scene without interference.

A report on the investigations, he said, would be made available once the work is completed.

However, Mr Ng’etich was released alongside the two security guards — David Chemoyos and David Kemboi.

SHOWING SOLIDARITY

Headteachers and officials of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) thronged the police station to show solidarity with their colleague.

Uasin Gishu County Kuppet chairman Elijah Maiyo called the arrest political.

"This issue has been politicised and we see no way it is connected with the arson attack," said Mr Maiyo.

According to Mr Maiyo, Mr Ng'etich vied for a political seat in the March 2013 General Elections but lost.

“Leseru is one of the best-performing schools in Uasin Gishu County and we attribute the success of the school to Mr Ng’etich. It is impossible in his right senses to think of destroying what he has nurtured,” added Mr Maiyo.

'WITCH-HUNT'

Eldoret West Sub-County Knut Secretary Jacob Arusei condemned the arrest, calling it a witch-hunt.

"We have seen over 100 schools go up [in flames in arson-related incidents]. Why is it that this is the first principal to be arrested?” said Mr Arusei, amid cheers from the school heads who had gathered at the police station.

He called on Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i to order the closure of all public secondary schools to give room for talks over the issue.

After his release, the principal recounted his 12-hour ordeal in the police cells as he lashed out at the police for tricking him into recording a statement at the station before locking him up.

Mr Ng’etich linked his arrest to politics.

“Initially, I was to record a statement with the police over the matter, only to be locked up in a cold cell for 12 hours. I may not rule out a political hand in all these,” said Mr Maiyo, who was carried shoulder-high by his colleagues after being released on a free bond.