Learners at Ilako Mututa Mixed Secondary School in Kitui West have received a lifeline after a devastating dormitory fire disrupted their education and left many students without basic necessities. The incident, which occurred at the start of the second term, destroyed the school’s girls-only dormitory, forcing the administration to send the affected students home for two weeks.
Although classes have since resumed, the aftermath of the tragedy continues to weigh heavily on the students and staff. Many girls returned to school without essential personal items, and the school itself was struggling with food shortages, pushing it to the brink of closure.
Hope was restored last week when the Child Welfare Society of Kenya (CWSK), an agency under the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection’s newly formed Department of Child Welfare Services, stepped in with timely donations. Working in partnership with Kitui West MP Edith Nyenze, CWSK delivered a wide range of essential supplies through its emergency response programme.
The donation included food items such as maize, beans, rice, and cooking oil, as well as bedding, school uniforms, personal hygiene kits, toothbrushes, and school bags. These contributions are expected to significantly ease the burden on the affected students and ensure that learning continues without further disruption.
Speaking during the donation event, school principal Jeremiah Mutukaa expressed deep gratitude for the support received. “We are truly grateful for this generous gesture from the Child Welfare Society. These items will go a long way in helping our school move forward and complete the term on a strong note,” he said.
Mutukaa highlighted the challenges the school has faced in recent months, noting that many parents are financially strained and the fire had worsened an already dire situation. “We were almost closing the school,” he added.
The intervention by CWSK underscores the importance of community support and responsive institutions in safeguarding the welfare of learners during times of crisis. As the school works to rebuild, the donations have offered not just material relief but a renewed sense of hope for the students and staff of Ilako Mututa.
