Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has called for an urgent review of safety standards in schools across the country, warning that the lessons emerging from the Utumishi Girls Academy fire tragedy must spur immediate action to prevent similar incidents.
The Cabinet Secretary said the government would not relent in its efforts to ensure that every learning institution provides a safe and secure environment for students, noting that preliminary investigations into the Utumishi incident had exposed serious shortcomings that compromised emergency response measures.
Murkomen said school administrators, boards of management, and education stakeholders must treat learner safety as a non-negotiable responsibility by ensuring emergency exits remain accessible, dormitories comply with occupancy regulations, and firefighting equipment is properly installed and maintained.
“The preliminary findings from the Utumishi Girls Academy incident have revealed serious safety concerns, including blocked emergency exits and overcrowding in the affected dormitory. This should serve as a wake-up call to all learning institutions to ensure that safety measures are not only in place but are fully operational at all times,” said Murkomen.
Speaking at Belgut Technical Training Institute in Kericho County during the institution’s inaugural graduation ceremony, the CS said the government remains committed to strengthening both education infrastructure and safety standards to guarantee that learners pursue their studies in secure environments.
He noted that while the government has invested heavily in classrooms, technical institutions, teacher recruitment, and educational funding, equal emphasis must be placed on the welfare and protection of students.
Murkomen directed school managers to conduct regular fire drills, review emergency preparedness plans, and establish effective communication channels through which students can report concerns before they escalate into major incidents.
Investigations into the Utumishi Girls Academy fire are ongoing, with eight students having been arrested to assist investigators as authorities seek to establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. He said the government remains determined to ensure accountability while implementing measures aimed at preventing future occurrences.
“Every school must prioritize the safety of learners by conducting regular fire drills, maintaining functional firefighting equipment, and ensuring students and staff are adequately trained on emergency response procedures. The protection of our children is a responsibility that cannot be delegated or ignored,” he emphasized.
Murkomen observed that creating safe schools requires collective responsibility among teachers, parents, students, administrators, and government agencies, adding that a culture of vigilance and accountability is critical in safeguarding learners.
The CS highlighted major government investments aimed at accelerating economic growth, creating jobs, and improving livelihoods through housing, road construction, and market infrastructure projects across the country.
He said the Affordable Housing Programme continues to generate employment opportunities for artisans, engineers, technicians, and other skilled workers while helping address Kenya’s housing deficit.
At the same time, modern markets being constructed in various regions are providing traders with safer and more dignified working spaces, boosting local commerce and strengthening grassroots economies.
On infrastructure development, Murkomen emphasized the importance of sustaining ongoing projects, citing the Kipthome Road project as a successful example of collaboration among leaders focused on delivering tangible benefits to wananchi.
He noted that the project was initiated through joint efforts with Belgut MP Nelson Koech and later advanced with support from Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir.
The CS further unveiled a broader vision for a development corridor linking Ainabkoi, Mbogo Valley, Lessos, Fluorspar, Lodwar, and Juba, saying the initiative would enhance connectivity, unlock investment opportunities, stimulate trade, and support housing development across the region.
“As we strengthen safety standards in our schools, the government is also investing heavily in housing, markets, and road infrastructure projects that are creating employment opportunities for our youth. Development and safety must go hand in hand if we are to build a prosperous and secure nation,” Murkomen said.
He reiterated that the government’s twin focus on learner safety and infrastructure development reflects its commitment to building secure, resilient, and prosperous communities while ensuring that no Kenyan is left behind in the country’s development journey.
By Gilbert Mutai
