Two Kenyans have petitioned the National Assembly to enact the school safety & security law to curb the menace of school disasters in the country.

The petition follows a recent fire tragedy at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County that has so far claimed the lives of 21 learners. 

In their petition, Anthony Manyara and John Wangai argue that enacting specific legislation on school safety and security will provide a robust framework for the prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery from disasters, thereby safeguarding the right to education in a secure environment. 

Further, the two cite that the recent incidents of fires and other disasters in schools across the country have raised serious concerns of the safety and security of learners.

They noted that the October 2020 Performance Audit report on fire safety preparedness in secondary schools by the Ministry of Education highlighted significant gaps in the safety preparedness, emergency response, and disaster management within secondary schools.

“Learning facilities don’t have the right equipment and tools to handle fires contrary to the Schools Safety Standard Manual that requires the institutions to have fire extinguishers, fire blankets and fire alarms,” the petitioners argue. 

The duo explained that these shortcomings pose a significant risk to lives and well-being of learners, teachers and other school staff, making it imperative for Parliament to enact comprehensive legislation that addresses school safety.

“The existing laws and regulations, including the Basic Education Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act, do not comprehensively address the specific safety and security needs of schools, particularly in the context of preventing and managing fire-related and other disasters,” the petition read in part. 

The country in previous years has recorded tragic incidents in schools such as the 2001 fire tragedy at Kyanguli Secondary School where 67 boys lost their lives.

A similar fire incident happened at Bombolulu Girls Secondary School in 1998, while the Nyeri High School fire incident happened in 1999 where four school prefects were set on fire.

For Endarasha Boys Secondary School in 2010, students set ablaze a dormitory killing two of their schoolmates.

Elsewhere in Meru County, 19 girls died and many were reportedly raped at St Kizito Secondary School Tigania on  July 13 and 14, 1991.

In addition, the Moi Girls High School fire incident occurred in 2017, when eight students perished.