Mbale High School in Vihiga County has been shut down indefinitely following a night of fiery unrest after students erupted in violence when they were denied the chance to watch the English Premier League (EPL) final matches on Sunday.
What began as murmurs of discontent quickly escalated into full-blown chaos as angry students stormed out of their dormitories and set several school buildings ablaze, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The riot left 11 students injured, who are currently receiving treatment at Vihiga County Referral Hospital.
“We’ve never seen anything like this before. It was like a warzone,” said a staff member at the school who witnessed the unrest but asked not to be named. “They were furious about not being allowed to watch the EPL finals — it sparked something deep.”
The school administration and local security officials responded swiftly, but not before substantial damage had been done. Firefighters battled through the night to contain the flames as teachers and non-teaching staff tried to account for all students.
Confirming the incident, Vihiga County Education Director stated that a formal investigation has been launched to determine the root cause of the violence and to assess the extent of the damage. “We are dealing with a very serious situation. The safety of students is our priority,” she said.
Elsewhere, Trouble Brews in Sirare
As Vihiga authorities grapple with the aftermath of the riot, chaos has also broken out at Moi Girls Nyabohanse in Sirare, where students are protesting the sudden death of a fellow student inside one of the dormitories on Sunday night.
According to sources within the school, the student was found unresponsive, sparking fear, grief, and outrage among her peers. The exact cause of death remains unclear, but students allege negligence and are demanding immediate answers from the administration.
Security forces have since been deployed to restore order, but the situation remains tense.
The Ministry of Education is yet to issue a formal statement on the two incidents, but pressure is mounting from parents, civil society groups, and education stakeholders who are demanding swift action and accountability.
As these events unfold, Channel 15 News will continue to provide updates and on-ground coverage from both Vihiga and Sirare.
