Advertisement
Why regular counselling in schools matters more than ever after the Utumishi and Gacharage fires
29th May, 2026 02:19 PM
Kenya is once again mourning after two disturbing school fire incidents raised fresh concern about the emotional well-being of students across the country. The deadly dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy Senior School in Gilgil, Nakuru County, left 16 students dead and 79 others injured after flames broke out shortly after midnight inside a dormitory housing more than 200 girls.
Survivors painfully narrated how some students were trapped upstairs as smoke spread rapidly through the building, forcing several girls to jump through windows in desperate attempts to escape. Investigators later revealed that eight students had been arrested in connection with the suspected arson attack as police continued piecing together what exactly happened that night.
Before the country could fully process the tragedy, another fire incident was reported at Gacharage Secondary School, reigniting national fears about safety, discipline and the mental state of students in Kenyan boarding schools. Although the Gacharage Secondary School fire did not result in deaths similar to the Utumishi tragedy, the incident deepened growing anxiety among parents, teachers and education stakeholders who are increasingly worried about emotional distress among learners.
These fires are not just about damaged dormitories and burnt mattresses. They are warning signs pointing toward deeper emotional struggles many students are carrying silently behind school gates. As Kenyans discuss fire extinguishers, emergency exits and tighter security, another important issue deserves equal attention. Students need regular counselling, not only after tragedy strikes, but throughout the school calendar.
Counselling gives students a safe place to release emotional pressure
Teenagers go through emotional battles that many adults often dismiss too quickly. One student may be struggling with family conflict at home while another is quietly dealing with bullying, loneliness, academic pressure or heartbreak. Boarding school life can feel emotionally exhausting, especially for teenagers still learning to manage their emotions.
Without proper emotional support, frustration slowly builds inside students. Some become withdrawn, while others become aggressive or rebellious. Emotional pain that remains bottled up for too long can eventually turn dangerous.
Regular counselling creates a safe environment where students can speak openly before emotions explode in unhealthy ways. Sometimes a student simply needs one adult who listens carefully instead of immediately threatening punishment. A counselling session may appear small from the outside, but for a struggling teenager, it can feel like finally breathing fresh air after sitting too long in a locked room.
Even adults complain loudly after one stressful week at work. Imagine being sixteen years old, living far from home, sharing crowded dormitories, waking up before sunrise and constantly worrying about grades, discipline and expectations.
Counselling helps schools identify warning signs early
Many emotional struggles among students are often misunderstood as indiscipline. A student who suddenly isolates themselves may be labelled rude or stubborn. Another who frequently fights classmates may simply be punished without anyone asking what they are actually going through emotionally.
After traumatic incidents like the Utumishi Girls Academy fire, survivors may experience nightmares, panic attacks, fear of sleeping in dormitories and emotional trauma that can last for months or even years. Some students may continue replaying the screams, confusion and smoke in their minds long after the headlines disappear from television screens.
Professional counsellors are trained to identify warning signs early. They can notice emotional distress, behavioural changes and mental health struggles before situations worsen. Schools are usually quick to organise remedial classes for weak grades, yet emotional well-being is often ignored until tragedy happens.
Regular counselling allows schools to intervene early before emotional pressure develops into destructive behaviour, violence or dangerous decisions.
Counselling improves communication between students and teachers
Many students fear school administrators instead of trusting them. In some schools, learners feel constantly controlled, monitored and punished without being understood. This creates emotional distance between students and authority figures.
Counselling helps bridge this gap by encouraging healthy communication between students, teachers and school management. Learners become more comfortable expressing frustrations respectfully instead of bottling up resentment.
A school environment filled with fear can never fully feel safe. Students are not machines designed only to wake up at 4am, pass exams and follow rules silently. They are young human beings trying to navigate emotions, pressure and personal growth all at once.
Sometimes students act out simply because they feel invisible. Regular counselling reminds them that somebody actually sees them, hears them and values them beyond report forms and punishment books.
Counselling teaches students healthy ways to handle stress
Modern school life comes with enormous pressure. Students today deal with academic competition, social media pressure, family expectations and uncertainty about the future. Some learners become terrified of disappointing parents who are struggling financially just to keep them in school.
Unfortunately, many students are never taught healthy ways to process stress. Some bottle emotions until they explode, while others turn to aggression, destruction or emotional withdrawal.
Counselling equips students with practical life skills such as emotional regulation, communication, conflict resolution and stress management. These are skills they will continue using long after school ends.
Life itself is stressful enough already. Even grown adults sometimes stare at bills like they are punishment from another planet. Young people also deserve proper guidance on how to process emotions safely instead of suffering silently.
Counselling helps create safer schools and protects lives
Schools become safer when students feel emotionally supported and heard. Regular counselling encourages openness, trust and emotional awareness among learners. Students become more willing to report bullying, threats, emotional struggles or dangerous behaviour before situations escalate.
The painful truth is that some tragedies might be prevented if emotional warning signs are noticed early enough. Kenya has experienced too many painful school fires over the years, and every incident leaves behind traumatised students, grieving parents and unanswered questions.
The Utumishi Girls Academy tragedy and the Gacharage Secondary School fire should not only push schools to improve emergency exits and dormitory inspections. They should also force the country to take student mental health seriously.
