Probe in Kirinyaga after fire at Education official's office with questions over whereabouts of tablets

According to investigators, the fire occurred in the office of the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Education, where 130 Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) learning tablets had reportedly been stored. Authorities say 119 tablets were completely destroyed, while 11 partially damaged devices were recovered and are being held at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) offices in Mwea East Sub-County.

Officers from the Mwea East DCI began recording statements from county officials at the Wang’uru DCI offices on Tuesday as investigations into the cause of the fire continue.

Detectives are also seeking to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported disappearance of 70 tablets from an earlier consignment of 200 devices purchased by the county government.

Investigators, speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to speak publicly on the matter, said several documents had been requested from county officials to aid the investigations.

By Tuesday evening, at least three county government officials, including a security enforcement officer attached to the Education office and a secretary, had recorded statements with investigators.

Preliminary findings indicate that the county government had procured 200 ECDE learning tablets. Investigators are examining claims that 70 of the devices could not be accounted for before the fire incident. Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether the missing tablets were stolen or whether any formal report had been filed before the fire.

The remaining 130 tablets were reportedly being stored in a washroom within the CECM’s office.

Residents who gathered near the scene after detectives cordoned off the office with crime scene tape questioned why the devices had been stored in such a location and called for a thorough investigation into the incident.

Some residents expressed confidence in the ongoing investigations and urged authorities to ensure the matter is handled transparently and without political interference.

“We want the truth about what happened and accountability if any wrongdoing is established,” one resident said.

Other residents, including Linet Wambui, Henry Murage and Jackson Gakuru, also called for comprehensive investigations into the incident.

Detectives in Mwea East said investigations are ongoing and appealed for cooperation from county officials and members of the public as they work to determine the cause of the fire.