Six students were taken into custody after teachers stopped a fire-setting incident at Muumandu Day and Boarding secondary school in Kalama, Machakos County.

The Machakos County police boss, Patrick Lobolia, confirmed the apprehension and mentioned that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is managing the case.

Lobolia mentioned that the students will face charges once investigations are completed.

At the same time, the police boss disclosed that the suspects had acquired two 500ml bottles of petrol, intended for use in the incident.

“These items will serve as evidence in court, and the suspects will face charges after the investigation is finalized,” Lobolia reported.

According to a police insider, a teacher at the school acted upon a tip-off and effectively thwarted the students’ attempt to set the school dormitories on fire.

According to the source, a form four student who commutes daily had purchased petrol and concealed it along the school fence.

The source reported to the media that cops from Konza police station answered the school management’s cry for help and nabbed the student in question.

After being nabbed, the suspect guided the cops to the spot where he stashed the one-liter petrol, split into two separate half-liter bottles.

“The police successfully retrieved the petrol,” the source disclosed.

The students who were nabbed

The students who were apprehended for attempting arson were as follows: two form 4 boarders from Nairobi, with one reportedly chipping in Sh50 for the petrol, a form 2 boarder also from Nairobi, a form 4 day scholar residing in Muumandu village close to the school, and a form one boarder from Nairobi who allegedly contributed Sh200 towards the petrol purchase.

Additionally the other student was a Form 4 boarder from Nairobi.

All the students recorded statements and were held at Konza Police Station for more inquiries before being taken to court.