NAIROBI, Kenya — Jubilee Party presidential aspirant Fred Matiang’i has called on the government to convene a national conference to address the growing number of fire incidents in schools, following the deadly blaze at Utumishi Girls Academy that claimed 16 lives.
In a statement, Matiang’i described the recurring unrest and school fires as a serious national crisis that demands urgent intervention from all sectors of society.
“The recurring unrest and tragic fire incidents in our schools are a matter of grave national concern. The safety, well-being, and future of our children must remain above politics and vested interests,” he said.
The former Interior Cabinet Secretary urged the government to bring together education stakeholders, parents, teachers, religious leaders, policymakers, and other key actors to examine the root causes of the incidents and agree on long-term solutions.
“I call upon the Government to convene an all-parties national conference bringing together education stakeholders, parents, teachers, religious leaders, and policymakers to honestly examine the root causes of these incidents and agree on lasting solutions,” Matiang’i said.
The appeal comes amid heightened concern over a series of school fires reported across the country in 2026. The most devastating occurred at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil on May 28, when a dormitory fire killed 16 students and left 79 others injured.
The tragedy has reignited debate over safety standards in boarding schools and the effectiveness of existing prevention measures.
Investigators are treating the incident as suspected arson. Several students have already been arraigned in court as authorities continue with investigations. Preliminary findings indicate that emergency exits may have been inaccessible during the fire, hampering evacuation efforts and contributing to the high death toll.
The incident has also renewed scrutiny of school infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and student welfare across the country.
According to reports, the Kenya Red Cross has responded to at least 37 school fire incidents since the beginning of 2026. Education experts and safety advocates have warned that the trend points to deeper challenges within learning institutions, including overcrowding, inadequate supervision, and gaps in compliance with safety regulations.
The Utumishi Girls fire has drawn comparisons to previous school disasters that shocked the nation. These include the 2024 fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri that killed 21 pupils and the 2001 Kyanguli Secondary School Fire tragedy in Machakos, where 67 students lost their lives.
Matiang’i said the country must act collectively to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“Our children deserve safe learning environments. As a nation, we must act with urgency, unity, and responsibility to protect them and restore confidence in our education system,” he said.
