By Janet Nyamwamu
West Mugirango Member of Parliament Stephen Mogaka has called on the Ministry of Education to urgently address the growing concern over school fire incidents across the country.
Mogaka described the trend as a wake-up call on the management and protection of public assets.
Also Read
Speaking in the wake of fires that have affected schools within his constituency, Mogaka expressed concern over the preparedness of learning institutions to prevent and respond to such disasters.
“The fire incidents in most schools in this country have served as a wake-up call for us Kenyans to re-examine the way we manage our public assets,” he said.
The legislator cited several recent incidents in West Mugirango, including fires that destroyed dormitories at Masosa Secondary School and Kura Senior School, as well as part of a dormitory block at Kebirigo High School.
Mogaka challenged the Ministry of Education to provide answers to key safety concerns affecting learning institutions. He questioned whether public schools are adequately equipped with firefighting equipment, including fire extinguishers, to prevent and contain emergencies.
He further sought clarification on whether school buildings and furniture are comprehensively insured against fire and other disasters.
The MP also called for transparency on whether existing insurance cover and fire safety equipment have been effectively utilised whenever such incidents occur, noting that parents are often left to bear the financial burden of rebuilding damaged facilities.
“We must avoid a situation where every time a fire occurs, the immediate response is to ask parents to contribute money towards repairs and reconstruction,” he said.
Mogaka urged the Ministry to outline its policy framework on school safety and disaster management, and to indicate when comprehensive measures will be implemented to safeguard learners, school infrastructure and public resources.
His remarks come amid growing concern over recurring fire outbreaks in schools across Kenya, raising questions about safety standards, emergency preparedness and accountability in the management of educational institutions.
