The Ministry of Education has dissolved the Board of Management of Utumishi Girls Academy following a horrific arson attack that claimed the lives of 16 learners on Thursday.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced the disbandment on Friday, citing flagrant violations of safety protocols, including extreme overcrowding in the affected dormitory and a locked emergency exit door.
Concurrently, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has launched disciplinary proceedings against the school’s principal and two teachers for gross negligence.
Investigators revealed that the two teachers had advanced warning of planned unrest among Form Three students but failed to act.
“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,” CS Ogamba stated.
“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.”
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have firmly established the fire as an act of arson.
Eight students have since been arrested and remain in custody as primary persons of interest.
CS Ogamba emphasized that any learners found culpable will face the full force of the law under the Penal Code.
At the time of the Thursday evening tragedy, 808 learners were on the school premises.
While the majority were safely accounted for, the inferno left 79 students injured. Seven victims remain admitted to the hospital, while 72 have been treated and discharged.
DNA Identification Underway
The bodies of the 16 victims have been moved to the Naivasha Sub-County Hospital Mortuary for preservation.
Because of the severity of the fire, the ministry has directed parents and guardians to the facility to undergo DNA testing for identification purposes.
