KERICHO, Kenya — Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has called on school principals and boards of management to strengthen security measures in learning institutions, including the installation of CCTV cameras, following the recent tragedy at Utumishi Girls Academy.
Speaking during a Thanksgiving ceremony at Kipsigis Girls’ High School in Kericho County on Sunday, Murkomen said schools must take proactive steps to enhance the safety and welfare of learners by implementing standard security and emergency preparedness measures.
The Cabinet Secretary emphasized the need for proper dormitory planning, emergency exits, and surveillance systems capable of detecting and deterring potential threats.
“You must take proactive steps as principals and boards of management to ensure that our dormitories are not congested, that they have proper emergency exits,” Murkomen said.
He further urged learning institutions to assess their security preparedness and invest in modern surveillance infrastructure.
“We need to ensure that all schools have properly installed CCTV cameras covering critical areas, as well as a central control room for effective monitoring and response,” he added.
The remarks come in the wake of the Utumishi Girls Academy fire tragedy, which sparked renewed scrutiny of safety standards in Kenyan schools. While investigations into the incident are ongoing, Murkomen said the government had drawn important lessons from the disaster, particularly regarding the handling of information shared by students.
According to the CS, some warning signs raised by learners before the incident were not acted upon with the seriousness they deserved.
“One of the things we have learned from Utumishi Girls Academy is that information shared by students was, in some cases, taken for granted,” he said.
Murkomen stressed that strengthening communication between students and teachers is critical in preventing future tragedies. He encouraged educators to foster trust and open channels through which learners can report concerns without fear.
“I want to encourage teachers to build strong networks and relationships with students so that they can freely share feedback on what is happening in school,” he said.
Murkomen’s proposal for expanded CCTV coverage aligns with broader national efforts to enhance surveillance in public institutions. However, implementation is expected to require significant investment by schools and support from education authorities to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
The Interior CS was accompanied by Kericho Governor Eric Mutai, Belgut MP Nelson Koech, Kericho County Commissioner Ali Omar, and several Members of the County Assembly.
His remarks add to growing calls for stronger safeguards in schools as Kenya seeks to prevent future tragedies and ensure that learning institutions remain safe environments for students across the country.
