Laikipia East Member of Parliament Mwangi Kiunjuri has come out strongly to distance himself from recent reports suggesting that his daughter was behind the fire at Moi Girls High School in 2017, which tragically claimed the lives of 10 students.
This narrative surfaced online, alleging that the convicted girl has been roaming free despite receiving a five-year sentence in February 2022.
In a swift rebuttal on X, Kiunjuri termed the reports as false and disingenuous, attributing the narrative to his political rivals’ malicious attacks.
“My attention has been drawn to posts on X and elsewhere, alleging that the teenage girl who was accused and tried at the High Court of Kenya before Justice Stella Mutuku for starting a fire that killed 10 girls in a dormitory at Moi Nairobi Girls is my daughter. I wish to make reference to my 2017 statement on the same.” He posted on his official social media pages.
“Let it be known to all the perpetrators of this reckless, insensitive, and inhumane falsehood that I have NEVER had a daughter or a relative at Moi Nairobi Girls,” he asserted.
Kiunjuri has condemned the use of such tragic events for political gains, emphasizing the insensitivity and inhumanity of spreading such falsehoods.
“Unfortunately, some reckless individuals have decided to score whatever points by regurgitating this falsehood without any due consideration to the parents and relatives who lost loved ones in the incident and the fresh wounds they may still have. This is too low even for purposes of scoring political points.” He says.
The legislator has also expressed his condolences to the bereaved families, noting the emotional pain they endure every time the incident is politicized.
“My heart goes out to the parents who lost their children in this unfortunate incident and whose scars continue to be opened afresh each time in the name of people politicking,” he said.
The legislator pointed out that the parents of the convicted girl are known and urged those interested in the truth to visit the school for accurate information.
At the time of the incident, the convict was 14 years old and housed in Kabarnet dormitory, where the fire broke out after the students returned from holiday.
Justice Stella Mutuku, while handing down the sentence, highlighted the severity of the girl’s actions despite her minor status.
The fire incident at Moi Girls High School in September 2017 was one of the most tragic events in recent school history in Kenya.
The fire broke out in the early morning hours in the Kabarnet dormitory, shortly after students had returned to school from the holiday. The inferno resulted in the deaths of 10 students and left several others injured.
Following investigations, a 14-year-old student was charged with arson and murder. The trial concluded with Justice Stella Mutuku handing down a five-year sentence in February 2022, underscoring the severity of the girl’s actions despite her being a minor.
The sentence was seen as a measure of accountability and a warning to deter similar future incidents.
Kiunjuri’s rebuttal has sparked reactions from various quarters, with many condemning the spread of false information, especially regarding such sensitive matters.
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