A senior government administrator has called for urgent amendments to Kenya’s Basic Education Act to give administrators and security agencies greater authority to respond swiftly to emergencies in schools following a wave of arson incidents that has rocked learning institutions across the country.
Speaking during the 63rd Madaraka Day celebrations in Mwatate, Taita Taveta County, Mwatate Deputy County Commissioner (DCCE) Kennedy Lwenyi said the current legal framework limits the ability of administrators to intervene immediately when crises occur in schools, potentially delaying efforts to save lives and property.
His call comes at a time when the country is grappling with a resurgence of student unrest, including the recent deadly fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil that claimed 16 lives and left dozens injured.
“We have no locus nowadays. Security teams need to be given the power of the law so that when there are such incidents, they don’t have to ask for permission to save the situation. When it started, we thought it was a joke, but now we have seen what has happened in Nakuru,” he said.
Rising cases of school fires
His remarks come against the backdrop of a troubling trend in Taita Taveta, where at least 13 secondary schools have experienced fires or attempted arson attacks during the second term of 2026.
Among the schools affected are Mahoo Girls, Eldoro Girls Secondary, Chala Secondary, Dr Aggrey High School, St Mary’s Boys High School-Tusunboyi, Mwasere Girls High School, Kenyatta High School, Kituma Secondary, Ngami Secondary, Moi Boys Kasigau, Mwaghogho Boys, and Mwakichuchu Boys Secondary.
County education records show that the unrest has affected institutions with a combined enrolment of more than 8,000 students.
Claims of organised arson
Lwenyi said investigations indicate the incidents were not spontaneous acts of protest but carefully planned operations.
“How is it possible that a number of schools carry out these arson activities at the same time? Is this really normal? This is not a good thing and it means there is someone who is planning all these using our children,” he said.
He further revealed that investigations into the Mwasere Girls fire uncovered what could have been one of the country’s worst school tragedies.
“According to investigations, there was a plan to burn all the Grade 10 students as they slept at Mwasere Girls High School by a group of fewer than 10 students,” he said.
Appeal to parents
The DCC urged parents to closely monitor their children’s activities and associations and warned against shielding children who become subjects of criminal investigations.
“When you see a DCI officer telling you that the behavior of the child is questionable, as a parent, don’t act to protect the child. It might be that investigations are revealing what could also help to save you at home,” he said.
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As investigations continue into the fires, education stakeholders hope Parliament will consider proposals to strengthen the role of administrators and security agencies in responding to emergencies before they escalate into national tragedies.
By Michael Oduor
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