Malala demands probe of schools into compliance with safety rules
By Faith Lagat, June 5, 2026Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has called for a comprehensive investigation into compliance with school safety regulations following the fire incident at Utumishi Girls’ Academy.
Speaking on June 4, 2026, Malala expressed condolences to families affected by the incident and raised concerns over disaster preparedness and enforcement of existing safety policies in schools.
“First of all, I want to take this opportunity to send my condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. It is quite unfortunate that such an incident occurred in a school whereby we expect a high level of protection,” he said.
He questioned the effectiveness of emergency response systems, noting that the school is located near key institutions including the Kenya Army barracks, National Youth Service (NYS) facilities, and county government offices.
“If we can have an institution burning down our children just four kilometres away from the Kenya Army barracks, from NYS, from the county government… what about Kenyans who face disaster and they are far away from those institutions?” he said.
Calls for enforcement of school safety policies
Malala urged the Ministry of Education to fully implement safety guidelines issued after a 2018 school fire incident. He cited recommendations including removal of grills from dormitory windows, ensuring supervision in dormitories, and avoiding locking learners inside dormitories.
“The locked door policy, to me, is very dangerous,” he said, adding that enforcement of safety measures remains critical in preventing similar incidents.
He also said accountability should extend beyond school principals to include Quality Assurance Officers at sub-county level and county education directors, who he said are responsible for monitoring compliance.
Malala said lapses in enforcement of safety standards had contributed to recurring incidents in learning institutions and called for stricter oversight mechanisms.
Governor highlights parental responsibility
In a statement on June 3, 2026, she said parents play a central role in guiding children and addressing behavioural challenges contributing to unrest in schools. “Strong parental involvement is key to nurturing a responsible, disciplined, and focused generation,” she said.
She cautioned against shifting all responsibility to schools, noting that behaviour patterns begin at home and are reinforced by societal influences.
Education leaders have also raised concerns over the impact of social media exposure and peer influence on student behaviour, linking them to rising cases of unrest in schools.