Even as Kenyans across the board continued to mourn the death of 17 pupils at Hillside Endarasha Junior Secondary School, a spot check revealed that the dormitory where the pupils were housed was constructed using timber.....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
This is significant since timber catches fire quickly, potentially leading to an inferno that can be difficult to contain. Reports indicated that the dorm housed 150 boys.
The tragedy claimed the lives of 17 pupils and left 14 others nursing serious injuries who were subsequently rushed to Othaya Hospital for specialised medical treatment.
It has also emerged that firefighters responding to the incident lacked water hampering rescue operations. This forced them to look for water 16 kilometers away, delaying the response.
Instructively, in 2020 the Auditor General released an audit on schools’ fire preparedness, which revealed that many if not all schools in Kenya are not well prepared for school fires.
Auditor General Nancy Gathungu reported that several schools have their doors opening inwards. This means that students are likely to lock themselves from inside as they struggle to get out.
“Physical verification revealed that some schools had windows with metal grills contrary to regulations,” the report stated.
The investigation further revealed that some schools did not have doors at each end of the dormitory or clearly labeled emergency exits in the middle.
Some dormitories have doorways of less than the recommended five feet for ease of escape.
“This is likely to hinder evacuation in the event of fire, leading to injuries and loss of lives,” reads the report.
The audit established that schools had not acquired the required firefighting equipment due to a lack of committees to inform the school management of such needs.
For schools to be able to handle school fires appropriately, the report recommended that the institutions should have fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and fire alarms.
They are also required to have post-evacuation maps at entrances and exits to buildings, classrooms, enclosed hallways, stairways, and offices.
The Ministry of Interior has assured those affected by the unfortunate tragedy that they are working with other relevant stakeholdersto coordinate support for parents and the school community to offer aid and counseling services….CLICK HERE FOR MORE ARTICLE>>>
