No one should sell or buy petrol in a jerrican without a letter from the authorities, the National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU) has recommended in its report on schools arson attacks.
It has also been proposed that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) be preferred as the sole electoral body to handle school elections to avoid teachers imposing leaders on their students.
The elections include selection of head boys and girls, prefects, dormitory heads and monitors among other positions. These are among a raft of recommendations endorsed by the NDMU in collaboration with other stakeholders as the new strategy to deal with the now rampant school fires.
According to recommendations contained in a report culminating from a stakeholder’s forum held on July 20 in Kisii on the way forward in dealing with the issue, one will now need a letter from the chief or the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) in order to purchase petrol in a jerrican.
The stakeholders drawn from the county and national government agencies in matters disaster, security and education also proposed installation of CCTV cameras in schools and for the IEBC to handle school elections to avoid imposing leaders. And these student leaders should be involved in formulating new policies in schools. “There will be no selling of petrol in jerricans. The office of the county commissioner and that of the county police commander will ensure that this is enforced,” read the recommendation received and endorsed by NDMU Deputy Director Pius Masai.
It added: “For anyone to buy petrol in a jerrican, they should have a letter from the OCS or the chief of the area.”
Further, there should be regular checks on electricity connections in schools by Kenya Power officials and every school should at least have a teacher who is a trained fire marshal. The County Fire Brigade should also conduct regular fire inspections and fire drills with involvement of teachers, students and community. “A curriculum review should be put in place to incorporate guidance and counselling and fire safety,” read the report.
Apart from NDMU, Kisii County Disaster Management Committee, and the County Commissioner; other organisations present at the forum were Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut), Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), religious leaders, Kenya Secondary School Heads Association, National Police Service and area community leaders.
“As much as these recommendations have been adopted by Kisii County (as the most affected county), we hope the rest will follow suit with enough sensitisation. It is just a matter of being responsible citizens,” said Masai.
Other reasons documented were parental irresponsibility, students not involved in formulating new school laws, tough examination rules, cult or demonic behaviours and illegal drugs which the National Campaign against Drugs Abuse Authority (Nacada) was called into action.
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