The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the Elimu Bora Working Group (EBWG) have called for the immediate resignation of Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Migos Ogamba and Principal Secretary (PS) Belio Kipsang.
In a statement, the two groups demanded that the CS and PS step down due to the fire tragedy that claimed the lives of 21 students at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County.
The groups argued that the tragedy highlights the inadequate safety standards prevalent in many schools, particularly in boarding institutions. KHRC and EBWG stated that the deaths were a direct result of systemic failures by those responsible for ensuring that schools provide safe and conducive environments for learners and teachers.
“Education CS Ogamba, PS Kipsang, and the Ministry’s Quality and Standards Assurance Team in Nyeri must resign and take full responsibility for this disaster. These officials failed to protect our children, despite being entrusted with ensuring school safety across Kenya,” the statement read.
The groups also demanded that the administration of Hillside Academy be held accountable for the students’ deaths under their watch.
Elimu Bora further called on the Ministry of Education and the school’s administration to proactively provide parents with all relevant information about the tragedy, including details on student safety and their whereabouts.
The groups announced plans to file a legal challenge against those whose negligence and failure to enforce proper safety standards led to the deaths. They vowed to pursue justice relentlessly.
Review of School Safety
Additionally, the human rights groups called for a nationwide review of safety conditions in all schools, especially boarding institutions.
The review, they said, must be followed by strict enforcement of safety regulations to prevent future tragedies.
The two groups expressed their condolences to the families and loved ones of the children who lost their lives in the fire.
Also Read: Govt Orders Immediate Inspection of All Schools
Groups Attack Education Migos Over the Fire Incident
KHRC and EBWG emphasized that no family should endure the sorrow of losing a child in such a preventable manner, and no child should face such dangers at school.
They also criticized the government’s inadequate response, noting that the Ministry of Education had focused more on delivering maize and beans to affected schools and persuading parents to send their children back, rather than urgently addressing safety issues.
“This response shows a lack of understanding of the gravity of the loss and a disturbing disregard for the safety and well-being of our students,” the statement added.
Also Read: Owner of Hillside Endarasha Academy Grilled for Hours
Previous Fire Tragedy
The groups also pointed out that this tragedy mirrors past disasters where lives were lost and injuries sustained, such as at St. Kizito Secondary School (1991), Bombolulu Girls’ Secondary School (1998), Nyeri High School (1999), Kyanguli Secondary School (2001), Endarasha Boys’ High School (2010), Asumbi Girls’ Boarding Primary School (2012), and Moi Girls’ High School (2017).
Investigative reports on these incidents, they said, consistently cited negligence, yet recommendations were largely ignored, allowing the loss of life to continue.
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