A new petition submitted to the National Assembly calls for the creation of legislation that would hold school administrators responsible for negligence resulting in student deaths or injuries.
Spearheaded by public litigation lawyer John Wangai and Kenya Universities Students Organisation president Anthony Manyara, the petition advocates for the establishment of a comprehensive School Safety and Security Act.
This proposed law aims to impose strict safety standards on schools, with heavy penalties for non-compliance, including potential fines and school closures. The petition emphasizes the need for administrators to be held criminally accountable for preventable disasters, such as school fires, which have become increasingly common in Kenyan institutions.
A major aspect of the proposal involves mandatory annual fire safety audits for all schools, to be carried out by certified professionals. The results of these audits would be reported to relevant authorities to ensure accountability.
In addition to audits, the petition calls for schools to be legally required to install essential safety measures, such as fire detection systems, extinguishers, alarm systems, emergency exits, and other fire prevention mechanisms. Schools would also be mandated to conduct regular fire drills and emergency preparedness exercises for both students and staff twice a year.
“Schools must ensure that students and staff are prepared for emergencies by holding regular drills and implementing robust safety protocols,” the petition states.
The proposal includes provisions for periodic training on fire safety, first aid, and disaster management for teachers, non-teaching staff, and students. Clear guidelines for communication and coordination with emergency services during crises are also outlined.
The petitioners argue that current laws, such as the Basic Education Act and Occupational Safety and Health Act, do not adequately address school-specific safety concerns. They believe that passing the School Safety and Security Act would create a structured framework for preventing and managing disasters in educational settings.
