- A viral video from Wanjohi Girls in Nyandarua has captured students undergoing fire evacuation drills in a boarding school setting
- The drill has sparked widespread debate online, with many praising the school for preparing learners for real-life emergencies
- Others expressed concerned by the escape methods used, reigniting questions about safety standards in Kenyan boarding schools
A video showing students at Wanjohi Girls High School in Nyandarua County taking part in emergency evacuation drills has sparked mixed reactions online, drawing both praise for preparedness and concern over safety methods used during the exercise.
Source: Facebook
The footage shared widely on social media shows students demonstrating fire escape techniques during a structured safety simulation.
In one striking moment, a student dressed in a red and white school uniform carefully climbs out of a first-floor window before sliding down a vertical metal pole to the ground below.
The drill, conducted as part of emergency preparedness training, appears to simulate a fire outbreak scenario in a multi-storey boarding school dormitory.
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The setting has come under increasing scrutiny following a recent fire tragedy at Utumishi Girls’ Academy in which 16 students died.
Many social media users applauded the exercise as a necessary step in preparing learners for emergencies.
Others expressed discomfort at the visual of students using window exits and metal structures during emergencies.
They questioned whether such methods reflect acceptable safety standards or point to deeper infrastructural challenges in boarding schools.
Against this backdrop, the drill is being interpreted in two contrasting ways: as a proactive demonstration of life-saving readiness, and as a reminder of the physical risks embedded in school infrastructure that still require urgent attention.
For students, the exercise appeared structured and controlled, designed to instil a calm response under pressure.
Yet the imagery of teenage girls navigating emergency escape routes has left a lasting impression on viewers, many of whom say it highlights both progress in preparedness and the continuing fragility of school safety systems.
The debate comes at a time when school safety and fire preparedness remain in the national spotlight.
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The Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) has recently called for stronger enforcement of structural safety regulations in learning institutions, following fatal incidents that have exposed gaps in compliance and enforcement.
Current national guidelines under the Safety Standards Manual for Schools (SSSM) outline strict requirements for dormitory design.
These include minimum corridor widths, outward-opening exit doors, and clearly defined emergency exits intended to prevent students from becoming trapped during fire outbreaks.
The framework also discourages the use of fixed window grills, which can hinder escape during emergencies.
As the video continues to circulate, it has reignited a broader national conversation: whether Kenyan schools are truly ready for emergencies, or whether they are relying on drills to compensate for infrastructure that still falls short of ideal safety standards.
Source: NGBREAKINGNEWS
