Former Cabinet Secretary for Education and Interior Fred Matiang’i has urged the government to take school safety seriously following a tragic fire incident that claimed the lives of students at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, early Thursday morning.
Speaking on Thursday, Matiang’i expressed concern over the safety standards in school dormitories, highlighting faulty grills and windows in the Utumishi Girls.
“It is shameful that a country like Kenya is dealing with such issues,” he said, adding that the incident underscores the urgent need for the government to review safety measures in schools.
The former CS also advocated for decentralizing teacher presence in schools, suggesting that school heads should remain on-site to oversee student safety.
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He drew parallels to the Endarasha Academy tragedy in Nyeri County in 2024, where 21 students lost their lives and no investigation report has been made public.
“Let us condole with the families affected and ensure that those responsible take matters seriously in the future,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba confirmed that at least 16 students died in the fire, while 79 others sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals.
“Out of the 79 injured, 71 have been treated and discharged, while seven remain admitted,” Ogamba stated. He added that authorities are still working to identify the victims.
The fire reportedly broke out at around 1 a.m. while students were asleep, rapidly engulfing one of the dormitories and causing panic within the school compound. Investigations are ongoing to find out the cause of the fire.
By Obegi Malack
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