Deputy Senate Speaker Kathuri Murungi has called for an urgent audit of safety standards in schools following the deadly fire at Utumishi Academy, warning that repeated tragedies in learning institutions point to systemic failures in enforcing regulations meant to protect learners.
Murungi, who sent his condolences to families affected by the tragedy, said all school safety laws and policies must now be implemented without exception to prevent further loss of life.
“I send my condolences to the parents of Utumishi Academy. This is the crucial and right time that all laws and policies aimed at protecting and safeguarding learners in schools must be implemented to the letter,” he said.
The Utumishi tragedy where 16 grls lost their lives and more than 70 others left injured is not an isolated incident and comes years after several deadly and destructive school disasters, including the 1991 St Kizito Secondary School tragedy in Meru where 19 girls were killed and scores of others sexually assaulted in one of the darkest chapters in Kenya’s education history.
There have also been recent fires at Meru School, Igoji Boarding Primary School, Njia Boys High School and St Peter’s Nkuene Boys High School, which destroyed dormitories and school property, exposing vulnerabilities in emergency preparedness and response systems.
Murungi said school safety manuals clearly prescribe how dormitories should be constructed, including bed spacing, emergency corridors, door specifications and window designs to facilitate quick evacuation during emergencies.
“I have personally seen manuals being circulated showing how dormitories should be built, the spacing of bed rolls against available corridors and strict adherence to how doors and windows should be constructed for easier opening and closing. There should be no grilled windows, but many schools still have them,” he said.
He added that dormitory doors should remain easily accessible during emergencies to facilitate swift rescue operations.
Drawing from visits to schools across Meru County, Murungi said many institutions have failed to fully comply with safety standards despite the existence of clear guidelines.
“I have gone around Meru County and many schools have fallen short in implementing these measures, often citing security concerns,” he said.
The Deputy Senate Speaker called on the Ministry of Education to urgently deploy quality assurance officers to inspect schools across the country and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
He further proposed that every sub-county be assigned at least one fire and rescue paramedic equipped with a government vehicle or motorcycle to conduct regular safety inspections and emergency preparedness assessments.
Murungi also urged schools, particularly boarding institutions, to employ matrons to strengthen supervision and enhance learner welfare.
In his oversight role, he announced plans to form a team of retired educationists to conduct a comprehensive audit of safety standards in schools across Meru County.
The team will assess the state of learner safety and prepare a report to be tabled before the Senate and presented to the people of Meru within two months.
“I will sacrifice to conduct oversight not only of county institutions but also national government institutions operating within Meru County,” he said.
Murungi blamed weak enforcement of regulations by school Boards of Management and communities for exposing learners to avoidable risks.
“Once a tragedy occurs, leaders and victims start blaming the Education Cabinet Secretary, whereas the mantle lies with the failure of Boards of Management and the community itself to ensure these standards are followed,” he said.
He said the recurring tragedies should serve as a warning that learner safety cannot be left to chance and called for collective responsibility among school managers, parents, communities and government agencies to protect children in schools.
Edited by John Majau
