The riot by boys at Tala High School in Kangundo, Eastern Province began at 0300 local time (1200GMT) on Thursday.

Apparently angry with their deputy headmaster they not only destroyed school property but set his car ablaze.

In 2001, 67 boys died in nearby Machakos when their dormitory was set on fire, allegedly by two students.

Around half of the schoolboys managed to escape , 58 died inside the Kyanguli Secondary School and another nine died from their burns in hospital.

Prosecutors at their trial claimed that Felix Ngumbao and David Otieno had a range of grievances against the school including the cancellation of exams after accusations of cheating, the alleged misappropriation of school funds and poor food and accommodation.

A verdict on their case has not yet been made, and the boys, who were 16 at the time of the fire, are still in custody.