CS Ogamba Dissolves Utumishi Girls Board, Orders Action Against Principal
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The Ministry of Education has taken sweeping administrative action following the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil Sub-County, Nakuru County, which left 16 learners dead and several others injured.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba confirmed that the government has already launched investigations into the incident, which has been classified as an act of arson.
In a statement on Friday, May 29, Education CS Ogamba said the Board of Management of Utumishi Girls Academy had been dissolved for failing to ensure compliance with the School Safety Manual and the Basic Education Regulations.
“The Board of Management of Utumishi Girls Academy has been dissolved for failing to ensure compliance with the School Safety Manual and the Basic Education Regulations,” he said.
He added that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) had been apprised of the findings and was taking appropriate and immediate disciplinary action against the Principal for failing to ensure compliance with the required safety standards and regulations.
Ogamba emphasized that the measures were aimed at enforcing accountability and strengthening adherence to school safety guidelines in learning institutions.
“The Teachers Service Commission has been apprised of these findings and is taking appropriate and immediate disciplinary action against the Principal for failing to ensure compliance with the School Safety Manual and the Basic Education Regulations,” he said.
Further, Ogamba said two teachers were informed of planned unrest by a section of Form Three learners.
However, the teachers did not take appropriate action before the arson, despite having been informed beforehand.
Consequently, Ogamba said the two teachers who failed to take action despite being informed of the planned unrest would also face disciplinary proceedings.
Utumishi Girls Academy Fire Act of Arson
Ogamba said preliminary investigations have established that the tragic fire was an act of arson.
He added that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations is currently holding and questioning eight learners who are persons of interest in the ongoing investigation.
The CS said the probe will establish their individual roles in the planning and execution of the incident.
Ogamba further stated that investigators will determine their level of involvement, and those found culpable will be charged in accordance with the Penal Code and other relevant laws.
No Adherence to Safety Requirements
Besides, the CS said the school did not adhere to the safety requirements as stipulated in the School Safety Manual and the Basic Education Regulations.
He noted that there was congestion in the dormitory and that one exit door had been locked, contrary to the prescribed safety requirements.
The school did not adhere to the safety requirements as stipulated in the School Safety Manual and the Basic Education Regulations. In particular, there was congestion in the dormitory, and one exit door was locked, contrary to the prescribed safety requirements.
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Negligence from the Ministry of Education
Additionally, Ogamba said the investigations will establish whether there was negligence within the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
The CS said the government will take the necessary disciplinary action against officers found guilty of negligence that may have contributed to the incident.
“Investigations are ongoing to establish other aspects of negligence on the part of officers from the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission. Appropriate disciplinary and legal action will be taken against officers found to have been negligent in their duties. We shall provide further information in due course as investigations progress,” he said.
Also Read: Utumishi Girls Fire Takes New Twist as DCI Arrests 8 Students
All Learners Accounted For
Ogamba said a total of 808 learners were within the school premises, and they have all been accounted for.
“Most unfortunately, 16 learners lost their lives in the incident. The bodies of the departed souls have been transferred to the Naivasha Sub-County Hospital Mortuary for preservation and DNA identification. Parents and guardians have been directed to the facility for the DNA testing,” he said.
Ogamba said 79 learners suffered injuries of varied degrees and seven are still in hospital undergoing treatment, while the rest have been treated and discharged.
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Utumishi Girls Academy Dormitory caught fire. PHOTO/ The Standard.
