The Kenya Red Cross has called for urgent reforms in school safety systems, including structured training for learners on emergency escape procedures, following growing concerns over how students respond during crises in institutional settings.

Speaking in the wake of the Utumishi Girls Academy fire tragedy in a radio interview on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, Kenya Red Cross Disaster Response and Preparedness Manager Anthony Muchiri has emphasised that safety education must go beyond prevention and focus equally on survival during emergencies.

“Whenever you enter a new space, familiarise yourself with other exits besides the one you used to get in,” he said.

Muchiri has further noted that many learners are often not prepared for real-life emergency situations, pointing out that basic awareness, such as identifying exits in unfamiliar spaces, can make the difference between death and saving a life.

The Red Cross official cited the recent incident at Utumishi Girls Academy, where some survivors reportedly managed to escape by jumping through windows, as a clear example of why emergency preparedness training is vital in schools.

According to him, the national conversation in schools should now shift toward equipping children with practical skills on how to react in dangerous situations.

Safety and evacuation concerns

Muchiri has further raised concern over dormitory safety practices, especially the locking of doors at night, arguing that such measures can become dangerous during emergencies if proper escape routes are not guaranteed.

He insisted that dormitory doors should remain accessible from the inside during the night to allow quick evacuation in case of fire or other emergencies.

“If one door is locked and another is left open, someone can still exit through the open door,” he noted, adding that access should only be restricted after students have safely left for classes and under proper supervision, such as by a matron.

He further warned that where safe internal locking systems are not available, dormitory doors should remain unlocked while students are inside to avoid trapping learners during emergencies.

Push for CCTV installation in schools

The Kenya Red Cross also called for increased adoption of CCTV systems in learning institutions as part of broader safety and accountability measures.

Muchiri acknowledged that while some stakeholders may view surveillance systems as a privacy concern, the recent incident at the Utumishi Girls Academy fire tragedy has demonstrated their importance in investigations and incident reconstruction.

He has added that CCTV footage is essential in providing crucial evidence and helping investigators to understand what happened professionally and transparently whenever emergencies or security breaches occur.