Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has called on school principals and boards of management to strengthen security infrastructure in schools, with particular emphasis on the installation of CCTV cameras following the Utumishi Girls Senior Secondary School fire in Gilgil.

Speaking during a Thanksgiving ceremony at Kipsigis Girls’ High School in Kericho County on Sunday, May 31, 2026, Murkomen urged education stakeholders to take proactive safety measures.

“You must take proactive steps as principals and boards of management to ensure that our dormitories are not congested and that they have proper emergency exits,” he said.

He further emphasized surveillance systems in schools, stating: “We need to ensure that all schools have properly installed CCTV cameras covering critical areas, as well as a central control room for effective monitoring and response.”

Lessons from Utumishi Girls’ Academy tragedy

The CS said the directive comes in the aftermath of the fire at Utumishi Girls Academy on May 28, 2026, which resulted in the deaths of 16 students. He noted that early warning signs had been shared by students but were not acted upon.

“One of the things we have learned from Utumishi Girls Academy is that information shared by students was, in some cases, taken for granted,” he said.

Murkomen also called on teachers to build stronger relationships with learners to improve communication and early reporting of safety concerns. “I want to encourage teachers to build strong networks and relationships with students so that they can freely share feedback on what is happening in school,” he said.

He was accompanied by Kericho Governor Eric Mutai, Belgut MP Nelson Koech, Kericho County Commissioner Ali Omar, and other leaders.

Investigation progress and CCTV forensic findings

The directive comes as investigations into the Utumishi fire continue. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reported that forensic analysis of CCTV footage, conducted with school staff, has identified seven students linked to the incident.

According to the DCI, six of the individuals previously held as persons of interest were confirmed through the footage, while a seventh, who had been released to her parents, is being sought.

“Further analysis of the CCTV footage… has enabled the investigation team to confirm the identity of seven students who participated in the arson before escaping the scene,” the agency stated.

Post-mortem examinations at Naivasha Sub-County Referral Hospital confirmed that all 16 victims died from severe burn injuries. DNA samples were collected from families to assist in identification due to the extent of the burns, while the Kenya Red Cross provided psychosocial support to affected families.

The incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of boarding school safety systems, with stakeholders calling for improved infrastructure, surveillance, and preventive measures across the education sector.