This sentence by Van Gogh hits hard:
“If I am worth anything later, I am worth something now. For wheat is wheat, even if people think it is a grass in the beginning.”
8,000,000,000 people on Earth. Almost no one knows you exist. The few who do are too busy to care. Relax. No one’s watching. Dear son, Go build your life.
Students must understand that there are consequences when they set other human beings on fire.
When I visited Naivasha maximum prison I met the only suspect sentenced to death for the May 24, 1999 arson attack in Nyeri High School that claimed the lives of four prefects.
The student was 33 years old or thereabout when I met him. He was convicted by a juvenile court and later committed to life imprisonment after he turned 18.
The 2001 Kyanguli fire tragedy claimed the lives of 67 students. Two 16-year-olds were arrested and charged with murder. The judge handling the matter resigned in 2006 amid corruption-related allegations. A new judge declared the court matter a mistrial.
I took my time with the file, and it was clear that someone had done everything to make sure the two boys escaped justice. I tracked one down to an office in the CBD. He is somewhere out here.
The July 13, 1991, St Kizito High School massacre remains the most disturbing and heart-wrenching story I have covered.
The boys stormed the girls' dormitory. Reason? They had refused to join them in a strike.
In the ensuing violence, 71 school girls were raped and 19 of them lost their lives, mostly due to suffocation after being tightly packed into a corner during the attack.
Some were arrested and as usual, parents worked the justice system and many escaped the hangman’s noose.
But in a dark twist of events, most of the accused “turned mad”, and others ended up as drunks.
I remember visiting a lady now in her fifties who was still overwhelmed by the events of that night- oh she cried.
I met most of the boys then now men. Drunkards. Wasted.
Let’s see how the tragic Utumishi Fire tragedy plays out but if the prosecution proves those arrested are involved, it will be the end of school and freedom.
I have been to Nyeri, St Kizito, Kyanguli, Endarasha, and Bombolulu Girls' High School.
It's a life-changing experience!
No amount of justice or compensation can bring back the lives lost.
Most deaths during infernos do not occur as a result of burns, smoke inhalation kills first, if you can, have a wet piece of cloth. Fire drills are statutory as per DOSH but no one enforces.
Two crucial safety features overlooked by everyone:
1, Emergency exits should never have locks. Push bar is enough and only from inside.
2, When the inside latch/lock is locked, the outside shouldn't. Always hang the keys at a common place , if you must lock them at night.
I will never forget Haggai Situma dorm 5 captain who jumped out of the window and opened the doors to the dorm and saved over 80 lives after some idiots started a fire and locked the door from outside. Noor died going back, trying to save kids from the fire. We lost him 💔
Highly recommend letting people know you're capable of madness from time to time. Especially if you're a quiet, soft spoken person. Disrespect sometimes needs to be met with disrespect.. let mfers know you can go from 0-100 real quick.