Western region parents’ body questions boarding school safety after deadly Utumishi Girls fire
By Enock Amukhale, May 31, 2026The Western Region Parents Association has raised concerns over the safety of boarding schools across the country following a series of deadly dormitory fires, the latest being the tragic blaze at Utumishi Girls High School in Gilgil that claimed the lives of 16 students.
Speaking in Vihiga on Sunday, May 31, 2026, the association’s regional representative, Alexander Alubukha, questioned whether the safety measures put in place in learning institutions are being effectively implemented, saying parents are increasingly losing confidence in the security of boarding schools.
“Are the safety measures we talk about in schools actually working? Parents take their children to school to learn, not to die,” Alubukha said.
“We cannot normalise burying our children because of preventable fires.”
Alubukha cited recent incidents that have shaken the nation.
Previous fire incidents
He noted that the Utumishi Girls tragedy has reopened painful wounds for many families, coming less than two years after the devastating fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri that killed 21 pupils in September 2024.
In March 2025, two learners also lost their lives after a dormitory fire at Kakamega Hill School, with investigations linking the tragedy to inadequate emergency exits.
“Endarasha, Kakamega Hill School, and now Utumishi Girls. How many more schools must we lose before decisive action is taken?” Alubukha posed.
He said the 2008 Safety Standards Manual requires dormitories to have two doors opening outward, fire extinguishers, wide spacing between beds, and night guards.
Yet spot checks, he said, show many schools still use padlocks on dormitory doors “to prevent indiscipline,” trapping children during emergencies.
“Who inspects these schools? Who signs their compliance certificates? We want the Quality Assurance and Standards officers to answer,” he said.
Appeal to the Ministry of Education
Alubukha wants the Ministry of Education to suspend boarding licenses for schools that fail impromptu safety audits. He also urged Parliament to fast-track the School Safety Bill to criminalise negligence by school heads and boards.
He asked parents to demand safety briefings during AGMs and to physically inspect where their children sleep.
“Ask to see the fire exits. Ask if they do drills. Ask who keeps the keys at night. Don’t wait for burial meetings.”
“We will not sit back as another dormitory becomes a dead trap for our children. Education without safety is a death sentence,” Alubukha said.