Urgent School Fire Safety Review Demanded

West Mugirango Member of Parliament Stephen Mogaka has urged the Ministry of Education to act quickly on the rising number of school fire incidents across the country.
Mogaka said the trend should serve as a serious warning on the management and protection of public assets.
Following fires that hit schools in his constituency, he raised concerns about whether learning institutions are prepared to prevent and respond to such disasters.
“The recent fire outbreaks in many schools across the country have reminded Kenyans to reassess how public assets are managed,” he said.
The lawmaker pointed to several recent incidents in West Mugirango, including fires that destroyed dormitories at Masosa Secondary School and Kura Senior School, as well as part of a dormitory block at Kebirigo High School.
Mogaka asked the Ministry of Education to answer major safety concerns affecting schools, questioning whether public institutions are adequately equipped with firefighting tools, including fire extinguishers, to manage emergencies.
He also sought clarification on whether school buildings and furniture are fully insured against fire and other disasters.
The MP further called for transparency on whether existing insurance cover and fire safety equipment are being properly used when such incidents occur, noting that parents are often left to carry the financial burden of rebuilding damaged facilities.
“We must avoid a situation where every fire outbreak is followed by appeals for parents to raise money for repairs and reconstruction,” he said.
Mogaka urged the Ministry to outline its policy framework on school safety and disaster management, and to state when broader measures will be implemented to protect learners, school infrastructure and public resources.
His comments come amid growing concern over recurring fire outbreaks in schools across Kenya, raising questions about safety standards, emergency preparedness and accountability in the management of educational institutions.