Kibra Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Orero has called for stringent regulations to enhance safety standards in boarding schools. The tragic incident, which has deeply shocked the nation, has highlighted severe lapses in safety measures at educational institutions, prompting urgent discussions on how to prevent such disasters in the future.
Speaking on Monday, Orero emphasized the need for boarding schools to meet essential safety requirements before being granted the status. According to Orero, fire extinguishers and the presence of matrons or housemasters residing close to dormitories are critical components that should be mandated for all boarding schools.
“These basic requirements should be the items that a boarding school must have before it is approved,” Orero stated during an interview with Citizen TV. “A fire extinguisher is mandatory; they are not that expensive.” He also stressed that having a housemaster or matron living near the dormitories is crucial to ensuring the safety and well-being of students. “We must ensure that each dorm must have a housemaster or mistress who stays with these kids next to the dorm. We have schools where even teachers do not stay near the school,” he added.
The legislator also raised concerns about the qualifications of individuals running private schools. Orero argued that many private school directors lack the necessary educational background and experience in school management. “You realize that some of the directors of private schools are not teachers; they have not done psychology, sociology, philosophy, and management. How do you manage a school and you were never a teacher?” he questioned.
In the same interview, Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi suggested that boarding facilities in primary schools should be abolished. Elachi proposed that younger students should attend day schools until they reach an appropriate age for boarding. “Let parents take care of their children in primary school as they move to high school,” she said, expressing concern about the safety risks posed by boarding facilities for young learners.
The tragic fire at Endarasha Hillside Academy has been attributed to what is suspected to be an electrical fault. Reports suggest that the blaze may have started near the main entrance of the dormitory, possibly due to sparks from a faulty bulb. The quick response of the matron and a security guard, who alerted teachers residing within the school, was crucial in evacuating the students as the fire ravaged the dormitory.
Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura confirmed that 21 bodies have been recovered from the fire site, with two additional fatalities occurring in hospitals. Out of the 156 boys in the dormitory at the time, 139 have been accounted for, either at home or in medical facilities. DNA testing is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 9, to assist in identifying the victims. In response to the tragedy, President William Ruto has declared three days of national mourning to honor the young victims.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Ingonga, has instructed the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the fire. This comprehensive probe aims to uncover the root causes of the incident and ensure accountability for those responsible.
As the nation mourns the loss of these young lives, the call for improved safety standards in boarding schools grows louder. The tragic events at Endarasha Hillside Academy serve as a stark reminder of the need for stringent regulations and vigilant oversight to protect students and prevent future tragedies.
