Vihiga Woman Rep Adagala opposes calls to abolish boarding schools
By Enock Amukhale, June 7, 2026Vihiga Woman Representative Beatrice Adagala has opposed calls by some lawmakers to abolish boarding schools, arguing that the move would not solve insecurity challenges but would instead disadvantage thousands of vulnerable learners across the country.
Her remarks come amid growing concerns over student safety following a series of dormitory fires and security incidents that have forced several schools to send learners home as a precaution.
Speaking during an empowerment drive for women and youth groups in Emuhaya on Sunday, June 7, 2026, Adagala said the recent tragedy at Utumishi Girls Academy should prompt stricter enforcement of safety standards rather than the closure of boarding facilities.
“The tragic incident at Utumishi Girls Academy is a painful reminder of what happens when we ignore school safety. But the answer is not to shut down boarding schools. The answer is to make them safe and introduce discipline on students,” Adagala said while addressing Vihiga residents during an empowerment drive for women and youth groups in Emuhaya on Sunday, June 7, 2026.
In recent weeks, some Members of Parliament have renewed calls to abolish boarding sections, arguing that dormitories have become unsafe for children.
Adagala said while their anger is understandable, emotion cannot replace policy.
“No parent should bury a child because of a preventable fire, a bullying case, or an intruder slipping through an unmanned gate. But boarding is not the problem. Negligence and weak disciplinary action is the big problem,” she said.
She noted that the Utumishi Girls Academy incident happened because of a security lapse, not because boarding is inherently evil.
Preliminary reports, she said, point to familiar failures: an emergency door that could not open, no night patrol, and a delayed response.
“These are violations of the Safety Standards Manual for Schools in Kenya, not evidence that the manual itself is useless,” Adagala added.
Steps to enhance security
Adagala outlined four urgent steps to enhance the security of children in boarding schools: she said the Ministry of Education should ensure every dorm has two doors opening outward, no grills on windows, fire extinguishers, and a matron on duty. If a school cannot meet this, it should not board children.
She urged schools to invest in security. She said perimeter walls, CCTV on dorm corridors, lighting, and trained night guards are not luxuries but necessities. On accountability, Adagala said principals who padlock emergency exits to “prevent escapes” must be surcharged and dismissed.
County directors of education who approve overcrowded dorms should face the law. We cannot keep treating negligence as an accident.
Adagala warned that abolishing boarding would create two unequal education systems.
“Children of the rich will join secure private boarding schools. Children of the poor will walk 10 kilometres to day schools, arrive late, leave early, and drop out. That is not equity. That is punishment,” she said.
She urged the government to act decisively rather than retreat.
“The Utumishi Girls tragedy should jolt us into action, not retreat. We owe our children schools where they can sleep without fear. That will not come from banning boarding. It will come from strictly implementing boarding policies and enhancing security in every dormitory, every night.”