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Boniface Mwangi calls for accountability after school tragedy
29th May, 2026 06:24 PM
Activist Boniface Mwangi has raised conversation online after sharing an emotional video reacting to the tragedy at Utumishi Girls Academy.
In the video shared on his Instagram page on Friday, May 29, 2026, Mwangi questioned why school tragedies continue to happen despite previous deadly incidents in Kenyan schools. He referenced the 2024 Endarasha tragedy, where 21 boys lost their lives, saying lessons should have already been learned.
“The tragedy in Utumishi Girls Academy was preventable because in 2024, we lost 21 boys in Endarasha,” he said.
According to him, overcrowding in schools has become a serious concern, with some dormitories reportedly accommodating more students than they should. He claimed some schools are now being run with profit in mind instead of prioritising learners’ safety and welfare.
“Schools are being run not to give an education, but for profit,” he added.
@bonifacemwangi/Instagram
The cycle of missing accountability
Mwangi criticised what he described as the country’s repeated pattern after school disasters. He said every tragedy is followed by condolences, prayers and tributes, but little action is taken afterward. “Children have died, and everyone is crying. But what comes next?” he asked.
He insisted that Kenyans should not only mourn but also demand answers from those responsible for ensuring safety in schools.
The activist pointed out that past incidents such as Endarasha, Bombolulu, and Kyanguli have happened over many years, yet very few people have ever been held accountable.
“We are demanding justice, action, and accountability. People must be jailed. Stop putting profit ahead of people’s lives,” he said.
Substandard dormitories and safety concerns
In the emotional video, Mwangi also criticised the state of some boarding school dormitories, saying children are sometimes forced to live in overcrowded conditions. “You send a child to school to study, but they are locked up like a prison,” he said.
He called for proper dormitory standards, including safer designs and easier access for students during emergencies. According to him, children should feel safe both at home and in school, especially after parents work hard to pay school fees with the hope of securing a better future for them.
Condolences to families
Mwangi also took time to comfort grieving families, admitting that losing a child is one of the most painful experiences any parent can face. “To families and parents who have lost their children, I pray that God gives you strength,” he said. “Your children were not supposed to die so young. We pray that you get justice.”
His statement comes as a result of the Utumishi Girls Academy incident, where a dormitory fire reportedly left students injured and sparked renewed national concern over school safety standards, overcrowding, and emergency preparedness in boarding schools. The incident has triggered fresh debate on whether enough has been done to prevent repeated tragedies in learning institutions across the country.
