Caution To Schools That Flout Safety Guidelines As Inspection Commences

By Emmanuel Oyasi,

The security committees in cooperation with education officials in all the sub-counties of West Pokot County have on Monday commenced the inspection of schools to ensure the adherence of safety rules in schools.

Speaking after a meeting with stakeholders in the security and education sectors at Nasokol girls secondary school, West Pokot County commissioner Abdulahi Khalif, said that the inspection will also determine the cause of the fire outbreak in Ortum boys secondary school.

Mr. Adbulahi said this will help put in place strategies to prevent such incidents in the future.

“We have directed all sub-county security committee members to liaise with the sub-county education directors effective Monday 16th September 2024, and we have prepared a series of meetings to ensure inspection is conducted and enforcement of safety guidelines in all schools within West Pokot County,” said Mr. Khalif.

Khalif warned that the government will take legal action against the management of any school that will be found culpable for flouting guidelines stipulated by the Ministry of Education regarding the safety of students in schools.

“I want to caution all school managers and stakeholders that the Government will take firm action against any person found to have flouted the guidelines stipulated in the safety standard manual for schools in Kenya,” he said.

Regarding the fire incident at Ortum boy’s secondary school, Khalif said that the initial investigation revealed that the fire was caused intentionally and one suspect is already in custody to help the police with investigations.

“We are conducting investigations and so far we have one suspect in custody and he is assisting police with investigations. Our initial investigation has established that the cause of fire was by human act and we believe we have the right suspect in custody that will appear in court,” he added.