DCP demands Murkomen resign after Utumishi Academy fire, questions school disaster preparedness

Speaking to the press on Thursday afternoon, DCP Secretary General John Methu condoled with families affected by the tragedy, in which 16 students were killed.

“We condole with the families that have lost their loved one. We question the disaster preparedness in our schools,” Methu said.

He accused Murkomen of incompetence, alleging the Interior CS failed to act in time to avert the magnitude of the incident and did not promptly assemble and coordinate disaster response teams.

“The function of disaster response is treated as an afterthought by this government,” Methu said.

“A Cabinet Secretary who is an epitome of failure, Kipchumba Murkomen, must take responsibility. Kenya deserves better,” he added.

Methu also raised concerns about safety in learning institutions, noting that Utumishi Academy is located near security installations.

“How safe are our schools, if Utumishi can lose 16 girls and the security is a stone’s throw away?” he said.

The DCP official challenged the Interior ministry to fast-track the Disaster Preparedness Bill in Parliament, saying it would help prevent or mitigate similar incidents in future.

He further linked the Utumishi tragedy to other past school fires, including the Endarasha Academy inferno in which 21 pupils died, arguing that the lack of conclusive public reports on such incidents points to laxity in addressing the root causes of school disasters.

The comments come as the government continues investigations into the cause of the Gilgil fire, which broke out at about 12.45am in a dormitory on the second floor, according to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba.

Ogamba said the school has 815 girls, with 808 in the compound at the time of the incident. He said 79 learners were injured and taken to hospital, with 71 discharged, seven still admitted and one picked from hospital by a parent.

Murkomen, who visited the school alongside Ogamba, urged the public to be patient and avoid speculation as investigators work to establish what caused the blaze. He said the fire was put out by about 3am following a multi-agency response involving, among others, the county security team and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

Ogamba has said the school was closed to allow investigations, adding that those found responsible would face charges. He also said the government would review compliance with the school safety manual as part of the probe.