Kalonzo Urges Urgent Boarding School Safety Inspections Over Rising Fire Incidents

By Emmanuel Kipkoech

Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka has called on the government to urgently conduct safety inspections in all boarding schools across the country following a worrying rise in fire incidents that have left students injured, displaced, and, in some cases, dead.

Speaking in Nairobi during the launch of his presidential campaign website and fundraising platform on Sunday, Kalonzo emphasized that learner safety must be treated as an urgent national priority.

“We cannot continue to lose innocent students in avoidable tragedies. Every boarding school must be urgently inspected to ensure full compliance with fire safety standards,” he said.

Kalonzo noted that many institutions remain vulnerable due to a lack of basic fire safety equipment and inadequate emergency preparedness systems.

“Most schools do not have functional fire extinguishers, proper emergency exits, or regular safety drills. This negligence is putting our children at risk every single day,” he added.

The former Vice President urged the Ministry of Education and other relevant agencies to act swiftly and enforce strict compliance with safety regulations in all learning institutions.

“Our children deserve safe learning environments. The government must act now before we witness another preventable disaster,” he said.

Kalonzo also called on school administrators to take greater responsibility by strengthening internal safety measures, training staff and students on emergency response procedures, and ensuring that all dormitories meet the required safety standards.

Education stakeholders have, in recent years, raised concerns over repeated dormitory fire outbreaks in various parts of the country, calling for tougher enforcement of safety regulations.

Kalonzo maintained that urgent action would help prevent further loss of life and restore public confidence in the education system.

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