Disaster management in Kenya only on paper, says expert

The government has been urged to implement the National Disaster Risk Management Act of 2021, which aims to reduce disaster risks and mitigate their impact.

While appearing on Spice FM on Tuesday, Njoki Mwarumba, academic lead in the Disaster Management Executive Program at Strathmore University highlighted the need for action, particularly in light of recent school fires.

"The problem in Kenya is that while structural mitigation exists on paper, there is zero implementation," Mwarumba said. 

She noted that lives could be saved if authorities properly assessed both structural and non-structural mitigation measures in boarding schools.

"We need to evaluate factors such as nearby flammable materials, bed spacing in dormitories, and the proximity of fire engines to the institution," she added.

Mwarumba also criticised the overcrowding of pupils in dormitories, especially in high-performing schools that lack adequate facilities to accommodate large numbers.

She further called for the implementation of post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation measures to prevent future tragedies.

"In disaster risk management, near-misses are critical. Do we know how to use fire extinguishers in emergencies? Do our buildings have designated fire assembly points?" she posed. 

Her remarks come as questions linger over the cause of the fire at Hillside  Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County, which claimed the lives of 21 pupils on Thursday last week.