KUPPET Chairperson Omboko Milemba has demanded the elimination of boarding schools in Kenya following the Utumishi Girls Academy tragedy that resulted in the deaths of 16 students this Thursday.
Speaking at an event on Friday, May 28, Milemba stated that this change would enable parents to keep their children at home, oversee their growth, and protect them from what he termed as overcrowded dormitory facilities prevalent in numerous schools nationwide.
He contended that many boarding schools function with safety standards below acceptable levels, endangering thousands of students as educational institutions grapple with infrastructure limitations.
Milemba appealed to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba to spearhead the reforms that could ultimately phase out boarding schools throughout the country.
“The Education CS must now be courageous and make the decisive step of eliminating boarding schools in Kenya. Our children can attend day schools, just as in other nations,” Milemba stated.
“It is not mandatory for our children to reside in schools,” he added.
His comments follow the Utumishi Girls tragedy, in which CS Ogamba mandated the immediate dismissal of the school’s Board of Management due to reported negligence.
The CS also instructed the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to commence disciplinary measures against the principal, with the two implicated teachers also facing proceedings.
Ogamba revealed that investigations uncovered significant safety deficiencies, including crowded dormitories and a locked emergency exit, violating safety protocols.
He further noted that two teachers had been warned about potential disturbances by Form Three students but did not intervene before the arson occurred.
He mentioned that continuing investigations aim to identify additional negligence within the Ministry of Education and TSC, with appropriate legal and disciplinary measures to follow.
Ogamba confirmed that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is detaining eight students of interest as inquiries into the arson attack proceed.