Nyeri Schools Establish Disaster Committees After Hillside Tragedy

All primary and secondary schools in Nyeri County are set to establish special disaster management committees, according to Deputy County Commissioner Joseph Mwangi.

Mwangi announced that these committees will be responsible for addressing emergencies and tragedies that may arise within schools. The decision came during a meeting with school heads, where it was agreed that the committees would also offer guidance and counseling sessions for students.

This initiative follows the recent fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy and a concerning increase in incidents of student unrest that have led several schools to send students home. Over the past two months, three boys’ secondary schools in the county have temporarily closed due to property destruction by students.

“We have agreed that the committees should be operational by the end of October. They will focus on managing emergencies and disasters in schools. Each committee will also include counseling psychologists, as discipline often declines in the absence of proper support,” Mwangi stated.

The Deputy County Commissioner made these remarks during the 61st Mashujaa Day Celebrations at Dedan Kimathi Kamkunji Grounds in Nyeri town.

At the event, the county fire department conducted fire drills to enhance community preparedness for fire emergencies and provided safety guidance to attendees. Mwangi highlighted plans for collaboration with the fire department to conduct drill sessions across all eight sub-counties.

“The county government is committed to supporting training and drills to ensure our readiness for emergencies,” he affirmed.