Nelson Koech: Any student who burns school must be treated as a criminal
Belgut Member of Parliament Nelson Koech, on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, announced that any student in Kericho and Kenya at large who participates in the torching of schools and unrest will be treated as a criminal.
Speaking in Kericho, the vocal lawmaker warned that he would push legislation to back severe punishment for those involved.
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He also urged students to maintain discipline as the latest wave of school fires continues to disrupt learning.
Koech’s sentiments come after four students were arrested for torching their dormitory at Kijabe Boys.
Koech warns students
In his remarks, Koech was firm that burning schools would not be treated lightly.
“And in fact, any student who is burning a school is a criminal and must be treated as such.
“There is no student who will burn the school and then say that he should be canned; that character must be jailed so that he can get a lesson,” he said.
Also watch: Litein Boys high in flames as student unrest leaves multi-million losses.
The legislator said that offenders will not be allowed to escape responsibility by moving to other schools.
“We will make it very difficult for someone to torch the school and get a transfer. You will remain there and rebuild the school, and remember that it is a burden you are giving to your parents,” Koech added.
The Belgut lawmaker further cautioned that the consequences of arson would follow offenders beyond their time in school.
“Remember, you don’t have a future because in the living certificate, we will say, he is an arsonist, employ at your own risk,” he warned.
According to Koech, such measures are necessary to protect public investments in education and to deter further destruction of school property.
Recent school unrest in Kericho
The remarks come after a new wave of unrest in Kericho County, including a fire incident at Litein Boys High School, where dormitories were destroyed.
Similar incidents have also been reported in other schools in the county, raising concern among education stakeholders and parents.
County education officials have condemned the violence and warned that parents may be forced to shoulder rebuilding costs.
Security agencies have also moved in to investigate and arrest those suspected of fuelling the unrest.
Koech urged students to reflect on their actions and focus on their studies rather than acts of destruction.
He also called on parents and teachers to guide learners and reinforce discipline in schools.
“We cannot continue with a culture of destruction. Our students must know that they are the future and they must take care of their schools,” he said.
