On Wednesday, the Elimu Bora Working Group (EBWG) and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) demanded the immediate resignation of Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang. This call came after a tragic incident at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri, where at least 21 pupils lost their lives.
The lobby groups criticized the two officials and others in Nyeri for failing to ensure the safety of the pupils. EBWG stated that Ogamba and Kipsang did not protect the students and neglected their duty to maintain safety standards in schools.
The groups are urging that CS Ogamba, PS Kipsang, and the Quality and Standards Assurance Team in Nyeri should resign and take responsibility for the disaster. They also called for those responsible for inspecting the school and maintaining safety to be held accountable.
KHRC also called for immediate action against the Hillside Endarasha school administration, as the incident happened under their supervision. The Ministry of Education has been asked to provide all relevant information to the affected parents, including details about the students’ safety and whereabouts.
KHRC revealed that they are preparing a petition against those found negligent, demanding a review of safety conditions in all schools, especially boarding institutions. They stressed that strict enforcement of safety regulations is needed to prevent future tragedies.
This statement from the lobby groups came shortly after CS Julius Ogamba announced that all schools across the country would be inspected to ensure they meet safety standards. Ogamba explained that these checks are meant to uncover the reasons behind recent school fires and to make necessary recommendations for improvement.
The Education CS emphasized that these inspections are a step toward addressing safety issues and preventing similar incidents in the future.
