A Catholic run school that is at the centre of a land dispute with the Meru County government was on Monday hit by a second arson attack in two weeks. Igoji Boarding and day secondary school’s administration block was on Monday morning set on fire two weeks after it was vandalised and looted by unknown people.
The Monday morning attack came even as eight suspects were being arraigned at Nkubu law courts for the attack and vandalism that happened a fortnight ago. The eight were charged with burning staff quarters and classrooms, stealing farm inputs, equipment and other property all worth more than Sh8 million.
Father Lawrence Micheni, the director of Igoji boarding primary school said property worth more than Sh20 million was destroyed and looted in the attacks.
“It is unfortunate that the attacks have been happening near Igoji Police station. We have been giving the information to the police but they did not act to prevent the two attacks and destruction of property,” Fr Micheni said.
Two weeks ago, a gang broke into the school during the day, burnt down several buildings and looted electronics, workshop equipment, furniture, doors and windows.
They also cut down the school’s banana plantation. The school is located in a 33-acre piece of land, and has been at the centre of a dispute between the Meru county government and the Catholic Diocese of Meru.
Last year, Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza ordered that the primary school be relocated to pave way for technical training college heightening the tiff with the Catholic Church. In 2022, the governor had accused the church of fraudulently leasing facilities within the land to the Meru County government. Speaking to journalists after inspecting the damage on the institution, Meru County Commissioner Jacob Ouma condemned the attack and vowed that the organisers of the attack would be brought to book.
“A land dispute cannot be resolved through theft and vandalism. We will not allow criminal activity to continue in this county. The financiers and perpetrators will be dealt with according to the law,” Ouma said.
Father Micheni said the National Land Commission has since visited and had recommended that the land be shared among a technical institution and the primary school.
Last month, locals barricaded the Meru-Embu road in protest and accused the Catholic Church of sabotaging the establishment of a technical training centre in the controversial land.
Early this year, Meru National Polytechnic announced plans to establish a Technical training campus in the area but it was yet to open its doors.
The Diocese of Meru has been occupying the land since 1969 when Gikui community members welcomed the church to establish a learning institution.
The Church established Igoji Secondary school whose management changed hands from ministry of education to the diocese until it was closed.
The church also founded Igoji Day and Boarding primary school in 1990.
In 2019, the Meru County government leased Igoji Secondary School facilities for a youth training school, a deal Mwangaza disowned after her election.
