The Ministry of Education (MoE) has called for a nationwide inspection of all boarding schools following the tragic dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil.
The incident, which claimed the lives of 16 learners, has intensified public scrutiny of boarding school environments and renewed critical discussions on student safety and institutional preparedness.
Announcing the directive during an education engagement in Wajir County, Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok directed education officials to conduct thorough inspections across all boarding institutions within a strict 10-day period, effective immediately.
The exercise aims to evaluate compliance with established safety protocols, identify existing gaps, and rebuild parental confidence in the education system.
“We have ordered our officers to inspect all boarding schools exhaustively in the next 10 days to verify safety standards and share identified adjustments affecting these institutions,” Bitok said.
Safety standards
Under existing statutory guidelines, boarding schools are required to adhere to stringent infrastructural and operational safety standards.
Dormitories must maintain adequate spacing between beds, feature wide doors that open outward, and provide clearly marked emergency exits at both ends.
In addition, windows must remain completely unobstructed to facilitate proper ventilation within dormitories. Functional firefighting equipment must be strategically positioned near exits, while administrators are required to enforce regular roll calls, hygiene inspections, and security patrols.
Warning to non-compliant schools
“Any school, principals and teachers that violate the mandated guidelines will face legal action,” the PS said.
The directive follows growing concern over recurring school fires and persistent non-compliance with safety requirements in learning institutions.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba called for heightened accountability from all stakeholders, maintaining that the tragedy was entirely avoidable.
“Parents, kindly cooperate on this operation,” he said.
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While official investigations into the Utumishi Girls Academy tragedy remain ongoing, preliminary findings from the Ministry of Education indicate that the fire may have involved arson and student-on-student violence.
By Ochola Victor
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