President William Ruto’s administration has embarked on conducting a countrywide inspection of all boarding public and private learning institutions to assess if they are in compliance with the stipulated safety guidelines.

The announcement made by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba on Tuesday comes after 21 pupils lost their lives during a fire tragedy that broke out at one of the dormitories at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Kieni, Nyeri County, on Thursday night and in the wee hours of Friday last week.

Mr Ogamba in a press statement sent to newsrooms, noted that the majority of learning institutions in Kenya have failed to adhere to the Safety Standards Manual for Schools, hence, prompting his ministry to partner with other State agencies in conducting the inspection.

He attributed the recent spate of fire incidents in some of the schools in the country to school managers’ action of flouting the guidelines, leading to injuries, loss of lives, and property.

Mr Ogamba said the first phase of the inspection will start this week and will cover all boarding primary and Junior schools, while the second phase will be rolled out in secondary schools.

The CS said the crackdown will involve officials from the ministries of Education, Interior, Health and Public Works. He also added that officials from the 47 county governments and Kenya Red Cross will also be involved.

“The inspection will provide an opportunity for the Government to unearth reasons behind the recent spate of school fires that have been reported in a few schools in the country and make appropriate recommendations to remedy the situation,” Mr Ogamba said.

He said that the government will not hesitate cracking the whip on all stakeholders who will be found to have failed to comply with the regulations.

“Firm and decisive action will be taken against the Ministry of Education officials, school administrators and managers found to have flouted the guidelines stipulated in the Safety Standards Manual for Schools in Kenya, in accordance with the Basic Education Act, 2023,” he said.

Recently, a number of institutions including Ng’ombeni Girls High School, John Mbadi Oma Secondary School, Isiolo Girls High School, Kagonye Boys High School and Bukhalarire Secondary experienced fire incidences

“A fire broke out at Isiolo Girls High School during the entertainment session. There were no fatalities recorded. Unfortunately, during the stampede, three(3) students suffered minor injuries but are currently stable after receiving medical attention. A team from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations rushed to the scene to assess the situation and investigate the cause of the inferno,” Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura said on Monday.

“While the cause of the fires has not yet been conclusively identified, the Government confirms that it has mobilised all relevant agencies and continues to work diligently to conduct thorough investigations. Those found responsible will be brought to justice,” he added.

On Hillside Endarasha Academy incident, Mr Mwaura said the school comprised 330 boarders who included 164 boys and 166 girls before the inferno broke out on Thursday night in the boys’ dormitory.

Mr Mwaura said two(2) of the boys died while receiving treatment at the hospital while 19 other bodies were recovered from the churred dormitory.

“All girls are at home with their parents while all the 164 boys have been accounted for. The parents of the 19 learners who succumbed are yet to identify their children. They will proceed to Naromoru for autopsy and processing. They will also receive mental health and psychosocial support,” he said.

The Spokesman assured Kenyans that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) together with the government pathologist are working round the clock to complete a scientific analysis.

Mr Ogamba has urged learning institutions to prepare adequately for the national Kenya Primary School Education Assessment, Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations that are slated to start at the end of this term.