Belgut Member of Parliament Nelson Koech has issued a stern warning to students across Kericho County and the country, declaring that those who participate in the torching of schools will be treated as criminals.
Speaking in Kericho on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Koech said he will push for legislation to impose severe penalties on offenders, stressing that burning schools cannot be dismissed as mere indiscipline.
“Arson Is a Crime”
Koech was emphatic that students who destroy school property must face the full force of the law.
“Any student who is burning a school is a criminal and must be treated as such. That character must be jailed so that he can learn a lesson,” he said.
He further warned that offenders will not escape accountability by transferring 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 MP also cautioned that the consequences of arson would follow students into their adult lives.
“In the leaving certificate, we will say he is an arsonist—employ at your own risk,” he warned.
Protecting Public Investments in Education
Koech argued that strong measures are necessary to protect the country’s education infrastructure and deter future unrest. His comments follow a wave of school disturbances in Kericho County, including a recent fire at Litein Boys High School, which left dormitories destroyed.
County education officials have also condemned the violence, warning that parents may be forced to bear the rebuilding costs, while security agencies intensify investigations and arrests.
A Call for Discipline
The Belgut MP urged students to focus on their studies and reflect on their actions rather than engaging in destruction. He also called on parents and teachers to reinforce discipline.
“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,” Koech said.
As unrest spreads to more schools, Koech’s tough stance underscores growing demands for accountability and a cultural shift toward discipline and responsibility in Kenya’s education system.
