118 Dorms Burned in Kenya Attacks

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- More than 100 high school dormitories in Kenya have been burned in a wave of arson attacks over the past three months.

Kwale High School along the Indian Ocean coast became the 118th secondary school whose dormitories were burned in the attacks. The Kenya Red Cross on Saturday posted pictures of the fire at Kwale High School Friday night.

Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto said earlier this week that despite the fires the government schools will not be closed early. He blamed the fires on unnamed cartels fighting reforms to curb cheating in the schools' final exams. Officials say the cheating is big business.

Kenya's Teachers' Union gave a different explanation, saying the students have burned the schools to protest reforms including the extension of second term.

(KA)