The continued occurrence of deadly school fires in the country has sparked renewed calls for urgent implementation of strict safety precautions in learning institutions.
This follows the night inferno at Utumishi Girls Senior School in Gilgil, Nakuru County, which claimed the lives of 16 students and left more than 70 others injured.
Education stakeholders, parents and residents in Tinderet Sub County said the tragedy should serve as a wake-up call to all schools to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of learners by fully adhering to government safety regulations and disaster preparedness measures.
Education Advocate, Joseph Kiprono, said schools must urgently strengthen fire prevention mechanisms, noting that many institutions still lack adequate firefighting equipment and clear emergency evacuation procedures.
“We cannot continue losing innocent learners through avoidable tragedies. Every school must ensure dormitories have enough emergency exits, functioning fire extinguishers and regular fire safety inspections,” said Kiprono.
Community Elder, Esther Cherono, called on school administrations to work closely with security agencies and disaster response teams to enhance preparedness in boarding schools.
“We are urging all schools to review their safety standards immediately. Dormitories should never be overcrowded and all electrical installations must be inspected regularly to prevent possible fire outbreaks,” she said.
The Nandi County Kenya National Parents Association representative, David Sang, urged parents to take an active role in monitoring the welfare and living conditions of their children in schools.
“Parents should not wait for tragedies to happen before raising concerns. We must work together with teachers and school boards to ensure our children are learning in safe environments,” said Sang.
A Public Benefit Organizations activist, Julius Keter, appealed to the Ministry of Education to intensify routine inspection of schools and take stern action against institutions that fail to comply with safety requirements.
“Some schools ignore safety recommendations because inspections are irregular. There must be strict enforcement to protect the lives of our children,” said Keter.
Area residents also called for strengthening of guidance and counseling departments in schools, saying mental health support and proper student engagement can help reduce cases of unrest and suspected arson incidents.
Youth Leader Samuel Kimeli said school managers should invest more in disaster preparedness and emergency response infrastructure.
“Safety should be treated with the seriousness it deserves. Schools must install alarm systems, maintain proper electrical wiring and ensure that students know what to do during emergencies,” said Kimeli.
The residents further urged the government to allocate more funds towards improvement of safety infrastructure in public schools, especially boarding institutions in rural areas.
The Gilgil tragedy has revived painful memories of previous school fire disasters in the country that have claimed scores of lives over the years, prompting renewed pressure on education authorities to fully implement past recommendations aimed at safeguarding learners.
By Sammy Mwibanda
