The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) has called for the immediate censure of Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Ogamba and the resignation of Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen. The demands follow a deadly fire at Utumishi Girls Academy that killed 16 students and left about 79 others injured.
In a statement on Thursday, the former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua-led party said the government, particularly CSs Ogamba and Murkomen, failed to prepare for the disaster and respond effectively.
DCP Acting Secretary General and Nyandarua Senator Joe Methu sent condolences to the affected families and described the tragedy as a national pain that should never become normal.
“We send our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the families and parents who have lost their loved ones. We pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and those in hospitals. No parent should go through such pain and ordeal, and no child deserves to lose their future full of great potential,” Methu said.
He added that the deaths point to a deeper national failure. “One death is one too many,” he said, warning that Kenya must address its conscience when preventable disasters keep recurring.
Methu said the country has suffered repeated school tragedies over the years, citing incidents such as St. Kizito in the 1990s, Kyanguli Boys, and Hillside Endarasha Academy, and he argued that safety and preparedness have not improved.
He also criticized Parliament, saying it delayed the National Disaster Response Management Bill even as emergencies continue to rise. He argued that the delay has left institutions exposed.
Methu further accused the Interior Ministry of failing to coordinate an effective response. He claimed Murkomen learned about the fire at around 2:00 am but did not act with urgency.
“Cabinet Secretary for Interior Kipchumba Murkomen received information about the tragedy at 2:00 am, but he did not mobilize the government machinery or make the one-and-a-half-hour journey,” Methu said. He added that Murkomen reportedly chose to fly instead of traveling by road, which he said reflected poor leadership and a lack of empathy.
He also questioned how disaster management operates in the country. He argued that the government relies too much on individuals instead of strengthening systems and institutions.
“Where is the National Disaster Response Committee, including the key stakeholders appointed in 2023 and placed under the office of the Deputy President?” Methu posed.
The party also faulted Education CS Julius Ogamba for not visiting the tragedy site in Nakuru right away. Methu contrasted the response to other official engagements.
“What was so difficult for the Cabinet Secretary of Education to travel to Nakuru, compared to going to Safari Park Hotel, when our girls died in those numbers?” he asked.
The DCP added that the same energy the government applies to political mobilization should go into disaster preparedness, saying lives could have been saved if officials had acted earlier.
“How safe are our schools? If Utumishi Girls Academy lost 16 girls even though security agencies are nearby, how safe are children in other parts of the country?” Methu asked.
He referenced the 2024 Hillside International Academy fire, saying 21 pupils died and the country still lacks clear answers about what happened.
“Since the Hillside International fire in 2024, we have never received clear explanations on how 21 babies died. What kind of country are we living in?” he said.
The party called for immediate accountability, urging Parliament to censure the Education CS and demanding the Interior CS resign.
“We call for the immediate censure of the Cabinet Secretary for Education and the resignation of Cabinet Secretary for Interior Kipchumba Murkomen over the deaths of our children at Utumishi Academy,” Methu demanded.
The post “How Safe Are Our Schools?”: DCP Demands Murkomen’s Resignation and Ogamba’s Censure Over Utumishi Fire Deaths appeared first on Bossnana.
