Matiangi directs educations directors to inspect schools safety standards

Education Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i has directed County Directors of Education to start inspection of all school dormitories to avoid fire tragedies like the Kyanguli Secondary School fire incident in 2001.

Matiangi says most schools have ignored the Ministry of Education’s guidelines on safety of students and the standard of constructing school dormitories.

Reacting to the court award of 40 million shillings to the parents of Kyanguli Secondary School fire victims, the Education CS said that he will consult the Attorney General before issuing a statement on the ruling.

Speaking in Nyeri County after making impromptu visits to several primary and secondary schools, the Education CS said he will continue inspecting public schools to ensure they adhere to the set standards.

On Thursday, the High Court sitting in Nairobi ordered the government to pay Ksh 40.9 million to the victims of the Kyanguli fire tragedy that took place 15 years ago

While delivering the ruling, Justice Joseph Sergon said that the school was negligent and ignored rumours that some students were planning to burn the school canteen and a dormitory.

Parents of the victims had sued the government seeking compensation and accusing it of failing to use reasonable means to prevent the Kyanguli dormitory fire.

On March 26th, 2001, a huge fire razed a dormitory at the Kyanguli Secondary School killing at least 67 students between the ages of 15 and 19.

Then police spokesman Peter Kimanthi told the media that 130 boys had been sleeping in the building when the fire started.

Kimanthi said that a padlock on one of the two doors and iron bars on the windows prevented their escape through those routes during the inferno.

Two 17-year-old boys were later arrested and faced charges of murdering 67 of their schoolmates.