Parents in Gatundu South, Kiambu County are reeling with shock and frustration after a wave of arson attacks swept through several secondary schools, forcing authorities to shut down all boarding institutions in the constituency indefinitely.

At Mururia Boys High School, mothers and fathers arrived in droves to pick up their children, just a week after reopening, only to be met with silence and unanswered questions.

Many said they were not allowed to view the extent of the destruction, sparking fears that they might be slapped with hefty reconstruction costs without proper accountability.

“We were only called to collect our sons, but no one has shown us how much damage was caused or who will bear the cost. We worry they will turn to us to rebuild the burnt dormitories, yet we are struggling with fees already,” Peninah Mburu, one of the concerned parents told People Daily.

Others expressed anxiety about the timing of the disruptions, noting that Form Four candidates are set to sit for national examinations in just a few weeks.

“This could not have come at a worse time. The boys are already unsettled and now their revision schedule is ruined. We need urgent solutions to make sure their future is not compromised,” Charles Mwangi, a parent at Mururia Boys stated.

The closure follows a disturbing series of fires at Ucekeini Girls, Gathiru Boys, Muhoho Boys, and Mururia Boys, where dormitories and other key facilities were destroyed in less than a week.

The incidents have thrown the education calendar into disarray and raised questions about student discipline, mental health, and the role of technology in fueling unrest.

Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe defended the decision to shut down schools, saying it was a necessary step to prevent further destruction.

“We cannot allow this chaos to continue. Some learners had already planned more attacks, as revealed in their online conversations. Closing the schools gives us time to reflect, to find solutions, and to save lives and property,” Kagombe told journalists.

The legislator disclosed that about 25 students had been arrested in connection with the incidents and are expected to appear in court.

Investigations suggest the attacks were coordinated through an Instagram group that learners accessed by sneaking mobile phones into school or using computer labs.

“From the group’s discussions, it is clear that some of the grievances revolve around tough examinations, strict frisking during school reentry and even demands to report back at 4 pm instead of 12 pm. These cannot justify burning down institutions built with taxpayers’ money,” Kagombe said.

Education stakeholders and security agencies are now scrambling to restore order with detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) pursuing leads to uncover the masterminds of the unrest.

“DCI officers are on top of things, and soon we will get to the bottom of it,” assured MP Kagombe.

The attacks have reignited debate over student discipline and the growing role of social media in fueling unrest.

Experts argue that while the grievances cited by learners may highlight genuine pressure, points such as exam stress resorting to arson reveals deeper issues around communication, peer influence, and inadequate psychosocial support.

“We need to rise to the occasion if we are to tame bad influences, bad technological use and addressing exam stress,” Ndung’u Gaithuma, an educationist stated.

As the schools remain closed, parents are now calling for dialogue and transparency to protect their children’s education.

“We cannot afford to waste another term. The ministry, the schools, and leaders must engage us directly so that our children do not continue paying the price for something they did not all participate in,” David Kuria, a parent said.

For now, Gatundu South’s classrooms remain empty, its dormitories in ruins, and its families caught between fear and uncertainty and with national exams looming, parents rooted for urgency in resolving the crisis and rebuilding trust in the school system