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Biometric census prompts review of 11,000 education ministry employees

19, June 2026

Biometric census prompts review of 11,000 education ministry employees 0

Cameroon’s Ministry of Secondary Education (Minesec) has launched a major review of its workforce following a nationwide physical and biometric census conducted in early 2026. After consolidating the data, the ministry asked more than 11,000 employees to clarify their administrative status within 14 days. Through the exercise, the ministry is doing more than updating its records. It is also exposing the scale of the weaknesses that continue to affect its human resources management system.

In a series of notices signed on June 15, 2026, Minister Pauline Nalova Lyonga called on several categories of personnel to report to the relevant services of the ministry to clarify their status. The figures released by Minesec paint a troubling picture. The ministry identified 5,659 employees reported by their supervisors as having abandoned their positions, 392 employees classified as absent or deserters, 1,319 personnel reported to be living outside the country, and 3,172 employees whose administrative status is considered “unknown.”

One of the most striking findings concerns 392 individuals who continue to receive salaries from the ministry despite reportedly not belonging to any of its official structures. That figure alone highlights one of the operation’s main objectives. Beyond verifying attendance, Minesec is also seeking to regain control of an administrative and payroll database whose reliability now appears seriously compromised.

The personnel concerned have 14 days from the publication of the notices to submit the required documentation. The file must include, among other documents, census forms generated through the biometric platform and validated by supervisors, a certificate confirming effective presence at the workplace and indicating attendance levels and administrative status, a detailed account of the employee’s administrative situation over the past three years, a copy of the recruitment document, and a recent payslip. The ministry warned that any missing document will result in the rejection of the application.

The strict nature of the procedure reflects the scope of the operation. The ministry is no longer focusing on isolated irregularities. Instead, it is reviewing cases that could affect career management, actual staffing levels in schools, and the use of public funds.

The physical and biometric census that triggered the process took place nationwide between March 9 and April 8, 2026. It covered personnel working in schools as well as employees on training assignments or seconded to other government institutions. Officially, the goal was to establish a reliable picture of the workforce within the secondary education system. The initial findings, however, suggest that the exercise has revealed a deeper problem involving administrative traceability.

The operation comes at a time when the education sector already faces significant human resource challenges. For years, the administration has struggled to monitor staffing levels, fill certain positions, and retain personnel. These issues have been compounded by growing migration abroad among teachers and other public servants, although the figures released by the ministry do not indicate where the employees identified as living outside the country are located.

That is what gives the exercise a significance that goes beyond disciplinary concerns. Minesec is not simply dealing with cases of job abandonment or prolonged absence. It is also trying to determine who actually belongs to its services, who is physically present, who continues to receive a salary, and how these situations were allowed to persist administratively.

In that sense, the biometric census has become a tool for restoring control. It allows the ministry to compare its records against the reality of employee attendance, assignments, and administrative positions. At the same time, it reveals the extent of the administrative disorder that routine procedures had evidently failed to address.

The ministry presents the operation as a way to clean up personnel records, secure data, and improve human resource management. But the figures already made public show that it is also a test of the administration’s own credibility. When a ministry is forced to ask more than 11,000 employees to justify their status, questions inevitably arise about its actual control over its workforce.

The review could lead to disciplinary measures, administrative regularizations, and a broader cleanup of personnel records. More importantly, it should help the ministry distinguish between employees who are effectively serving in their positions and those whose administrative, professional, or payroll status now requires closer examination.

At Minesec, the biometric census no longer looks like a routine monitoring exercise. It is already emerging as a sign of deeper structural weaknesses in the management of secondary education personnel. Through the irregularities it has uncovered, it also serves as a reminder that staffing challenges are not only about teacher shortages, but also about the state’s continuing difficulty in determining precisely who still belongs to its own workforce.

Source: Sbbc

MECA Leicester hosts first-ever 3-Day Manyu cultural event

18, June 2026

MECA Leicester hosts first-ever 3-Day Manyu cultural event 0

The Manyu Elements Cultural and Development Association (MECA) Leicester chapter made history on 12 June 2026 by hosting the first-ever three-day cultural festival dedicated to celebrating the rich heritage and traditions of the Manyu people in the United Kingdom.

Held under the motto “Unity, Togetherness and Peace,” the landmark event brought together members of the Manyu community and guests from across the UK for a weekend of culture, education, entertainment and development-focused discussions.

The festivities commenced on Friday, 12 June, with a vibrant cultural evening led by EKPE UK. The occasion was further enriched by captivating performances from Wanawawampke, Macuda UK, and the Dancing Duo Monikim Group of Leicester. The diversity of the participating groups reflected MECA Leicester’s commitment to promoting unity through cultural diversity and fostering stronger ties among Cameroonian communities in the diaspora.

One of the highlights of the evening was the “Manyu Kids Have Got Talent” showcase, which featured children performing live in various Manyu mother tongues. The performances left guests thoroughly impressed, not only by the children’s confidence and talent but also by their remarkable ability to communicate and perform in their ancestral languages. The showcase served as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving cultural identity among younger generations.

The evening also featured an insightful and educational presentation by renowned Professor of Law, Sesekou Nelson Enonchong, who traced the origins of EKPE and explored its historical significance and enduring role within Bayang culture.

More than 250 guests were treated to an authentic culinary experience featuring some of Manyu’s most cherished traditional dishes, including NkụBétor, Squeezing, Fufu and Eru, and Tatchot Soup. The evening culminated in the unveiling of MECA Leicester’s new uniform, followed by a special cultural performance from the Leicester Monikim Group and a guest appearance by Ayuk the Artist.

The celebrations continued on Saturday, 13 June, with the signature Gala Night held at the magnificent Empire Hall in Leicester. The gala attracted approximately 350 guests and was organised under the theme: “A Bright Future for Manyu Division.”

In his welcome address, the President of MECA Leicester, Nfor John Bawak, expressed gratitude to all participating groups and organisations that answered the association’s invitation. He emphasised the importance of a united MECA UK in preserving, promoting and advancing the development of Manyu both in the diaspora and back home. He also highlighted the value of establishing the cultural weekend as an annual event rotating among MECA chapters across the United Kingdom.

As part of this vision, Nfor John Bawak formally passed the torch to Nfor Takang of MECA Coventry, inviting Coventry to host the next cultural festival in 2027. In accepting the challenge, Nfor Takang commended MECA Leicester, describing it as one of the strongest and most dynamic MECA chapters in the UK, while encouraging Leicester to consider hosting a future MECA UK national event within the next three years.

The gala also generated significant donations, which will support community development projects across the four subdivisions of Manyu over the next twelve months through initiatives coordinated by MECA Leicester.

The historic three-day celebration concluded on Sunday with a community barbecue and a final cultural showcase by MECA Leicester members. Guests were treated to a variety of expertly prepared barbecue delicacies, good music, and fellowship as the organisers thanked participants and visitors for their support and contribution to the success of the weekend.

The event not only celebrated the richness of Manyu culture but also demonstrated the power of unity, cultural preservation, and community collaboration in strengthening the bonds between Manyu people across the United Kingdom and beyond.

American musician Oliver Tree killed in mid-air helicopter collision in Brazil

15, June 2026

American musician Oliver Tree killed in mid-air helicopter collision in Brazil 0

American alt-pop singer and internet personality Oliver Tree was aboard one of the two helicopters that collided mid-air in Brazil, leaving six dead, a police source said.

The alternative singer and internet personality was listed as one of six people on the manifest of one aircraft shared by the source, who said the victims could not be formally identified yet as they were badly burned in the crash.

The helicopters collided mid-air on Sunday morning in the western suburb of Rio de Janeiro called Recreio dos Bandeirantes before plummeting into the parking lot of an electric car dealership, setting ablaze around 20 cars, firefighters said.

One of the helicopters was carrying five people, and the other only the pilot. There were no survivors.

The passengers on the same helicopter as Tree included a Brazilian music producer, Argentine video director and Argentine YouTuber Gaspar Prim, known online as “Gaspi”.

The 32-year-old Tree – with a distinctive bowl haircut and eccentric, meme-worthy internet persona – was known for hits such as “Life Goes On”, “Miss You”, and “Alien Boy”.

He has over 11 million monthly listeners on Spotify, with his top songs listened to over 700 million times.

In recent days his Instagram account featured videos of him in Brazil, where he performed in Sao Paulo on June 6 on his tour of over 30 countries.

His next show was due in Lisbon on July 1.

Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere said earlier that there were “foreign nationals on board one of the aircraft”, without giving further details.

Source: France 24

Biya regime seeks closer ties between universities and employers

13, June 2026

Biya regime seeks closer ties between universities and employers 0

Finding an internship remains a major challenge for many students in Cameroon. While universities graduate thousands of students every year, access to a first professional experience often remains one of the biggest barriers to employment.

In an effort to bridge the gap between academic training and labor market needs, the Ministry of Higher Education signed partnership agreements on June 3 in Yaoundé with the Cameroon Press and Publishing Corporation (Sopecam), Cameroon Telecommunications (Camtel), and the Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA).

The agreements are designed to expand access to academic and professional internships for students and recent graduates in sectors considered strategic for the country’s development, including media, telecommunications, and civil aviation. According to the ministry, the partnerships aim to improve graduate employability through skills-based professional experience, support workforce integration, reduce youth unemployment and underemployment, strengthen the practical orientation of university programs, and encourage innovation in key sectors of the economy.

Beyond the signing ceremony, the initiative addresses a long-standing criticism of Cameroon’s higher education system: the disconnect between academic training and the skills employers seek.

Many companies argue that graduates often possess strong theoretical knowledge but lack the practical experience needed to enter the workforce. Under the agreements, students will have the opportunity to work within partner organizations, gain hands-on experience, develop job-ready skills, and better understand the realities of their future professions.

Targeting Fast-Changing Industries

The initiative comes as youth employment remains a major concern for policymakers. Higher education specialists generally view internships as a critical step between university and employment. They help students build professional networks, gain valuable experience, and in some cases secure their first job.

The choice of partners also reflects the government’s desire to steer students toward industries undergoing rapid transformation.

In telecommunications, digitalization is creating demand for skills related to networks, digital services, and cybersecurity. In civil aviation, modernization efforts are opening opportunities in management, safety, and technology-related fields. The media sector is also evolving rapidly as digital platforms reshape how information is produced and consumed.

Higher Education Minister Jacques Fame Ndongo said the partnerships are intended to better prepare students for their professional careers. According to him, the internship programs will provide direct exposure to strategic sectors and allow students to complement classroom learning with practical experience.

The real challenge, however, will be translating these commitments into meaningful opportunities for a large number of young people. For many graduates, access to a first professional experience remains one of the most important factors in securing a place in the job market.

Source: Sbbc

Yaoundé steps up blood donation drive amid severe shortage

12, June 2026

Yaoundé steps up blood donation drive amid severe shortage 0

Ahead of World Blood Donor Day on June 14, Cameroon has renewed efforts to address a severe blood shortage that continues to challenge the country’s healthcare system.

In Yaoundé, the National Blood Transfusion Center (CNTS) has launched a special blood donation campaign with support from the U.S. Embassy in Cameroon. The initiative aims to attract new donors and encourage regular volunteers to continue donating.

The campaign aligns with this year’s global theme: “Give Blood, Give Hope: Together We Save Lives.” Behind the message lies a pressing healthcare need. Hospitals across the country require blood products every day to treat road accident victims, women facing complications during childbirth, children suffering from severe anemia, patients with severe malaria, and people undergoing surgery.

The challenge remains substantial. Cameroon needs about 400,000 units of blood each year to meet national demand. In 2025, the National Blood Transfusion Center collected 186,500 units, up from 147,034 units in 2022. As a result, national blood coverage increased from 37% to 47% over three years. Despite that progress, the country still faces an annual shortfall of more than 200,000 units.

Regional disparities add to the challenge. According to CNTS data, the Center, Littoral, and East regions achieve blood coverage rates of around 60%, while the South, North, and Far North regions remain below 30%. These gaps leave some hospitals more vulnerable to shortages, particularly in areas where blood collection campaigns are less frequent or more difficult to organize.

For blood transfusion specialists, the priority extends beyond increasing donation volumes. They seek to build a culture of voluntary, regular, and unpaid blood donation, which is considered the safest model for maintaining a stable and secure blood supply.

Such an approach also reduces dependence on replacement donations, often requested from patients’ relatives during emergencies.

Blood safety remains another key concern. According to CNTS, the share of blood units showing infectious risk factors declined from 9% in 2024 to 8.1% in 2025. The improvement reflects stronger quality-control procedures, biological screening of donations, staff training, and greater standardization across blood banks.

The campaign in Yaoundé also forms part of a broader framework of health cooperation between Cameroon and the United States. In December 2025, the two countries signed a bilateral memorandum of understanding covering HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, and global health security.

With World Blood Donor Day only days away, health authorities hope to turn awareness into action. For Cameroon’s healthcare system, every unit collected helps narrow a still-significant gap between supply and demand. For patients, it can mean the difference between a medical emergency successfully treated and a life lost because blood was unavailable.

Source: Sbbc

Exam leaks in CPDM Cameroon: A symptom of a deeper corruption crisis

12, June 2026

Exam leaks in CPDM Cameroon: A symptom of a deeper corruption crisis 0

The recurring problem of examination leaks in Cameroon is often treated as an isolated failure of educational administration. However, many Cameroonians have now opined that these incidents reflect a broader culture of bad governance, lack of accountability and corruption that has developed under the long rule of the 92-year-old President Paul Biya and his CPDM government based in Yaoundé.

For members of the ruling CPDM crime syndicate who do not know, examination leaks undermine the integrity of the country’s education system. The leaks devalue the hard work of honest students, erode public confidence in academic qualifications and create unfair advantages for those with access to privileged networks. Yet such leaks do not occur in a vacuum. They require the involvement or at least the negligence of individuals entrusted with safeguarding examination materials in all the ten regions of Cameroon.

Some commentators contend that the persistence of these scandals points to a deeper governance problem in Yaoundé. When state institutions lack transparency and government officials are rarely held accountable for misconduct, corruption can spread throughout public service establishments. In such an environment, the temptation to exploit confidential examination materials for personal gain becomes greater, while the likelihood of meaningful consequences remains low.

Under President Biya’s administration, opposition figures and civil society groups have frequently raised concerns about corruption, patronage and institutional weakness. They argue that these systemic issues have contributed to declining public trust in state institutions, including the education sector. From this perspective, examination leaks are not merely educational failures but symptoms of broader political and administrative shortcomings.

Supporters of the corrupt Biya regime, however, maintain that examination malpractice is a challenge faced by many countries and should not be attributed solely to national political leadership. They point to efforts by education minister Prof Nalova Lyonga to strengthen security measures, investigate leaks and punish offenders.

Nevertheless, the repeated occurrence of examination leaks raises difficult questions. If anti-corruption measures are effective, why do similar scandals continue to emerge? Why do students and parents repeatedly fear that examination results may be compromised? These concerns suggest that stronger oversight, greater transparency and more robust accountability mechanisms are needed.

Ultimately, restoring confidence in Cameroon’s education system will require more than tightening examination security. It will require building institutions that reward integrity, punish misconduct and operate independently of political influence. Until those broader governance challenges are addressed, examination leaks are likely to remain a troubling reflection of deeper problems within the state.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

Gov’t urges Amba fighters to allow health access as Mpox spreads 

10, June 2026

Gov’t urges Amba fighters to allow health access as Mpox spreads  0

Cameroonian government has issued an urgent plea to armed separatist groups in the country’s English-speaking regions, urging them to allow healthcare and humanitarian workers safe access to communities heavily affected by a growing Mpox outbreak.

The viral disease, historically known as monkeypox, was first confirmed in the conflict-hit Southwest region. It has since rapidly penetrated major economic hubs, including the coastal economic capital of Douala and Bafoussam, a vital commercial city in the West region.

Public anxiety has mounted significantly after authorities revealed that truck and bus drivers were among the first cluster of confirmed patients. Because these drivers form the backbone of the national supply chain, health officials fear the virus is actively moving along Cameroon’s primary transport networks.

Awa Fonka Augustine, the Governor of the West region, confirmed that three of the five drivers identified in Bafoussam have already been tracked, isolated, and placed under specialized care. Local authorities are also warning travelers and rural communities to exercise extreme caution when handling, purchasing, or consuming bushmeat, advising strict decontamination of transport vehicles with soap and water if wild game has been carried inside.

Source: ChannelAfrica

WHO chief visits eastern DR Congo amid Ebola outbreak

31, May 2026

WHO chief visits eastern DR Congo amid Ebola outbreak 0

UN health chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called Saturday for more international help to combat the spread of the deadly Ebola virus in DR Congo as he arrived in the eastern province worst-hit by a severe outbreak.

The World Health Organization (WHO) director general told reporters in Bunia, capital of Ituri province, that the international community was helping the DR Congo government cope with the outbreak.

But he added that “community ownership” was also needed – including overcoming “mistrust” and false information – and an increase in financial support from other countries.

“We are here to discuss with the community, to see how the response is running and if there are challenges to help,” he said.

“You’re not alone in this. We’re here, we’re with you, and we will see this through together,” he told people in Ituri at a press conference later.

The highly contagious haemorrhagic fever is already present in three eastern DR Congo provinces and in neighbouring Uganda.

There have been at least 1,077 suspected cases of Ebola in DR Congo since the outbreak was declared on May 15, including 246 deaths, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday. There have been nine confirmed infections in Uganda, including one death.

The true reach of the outbreak in DR Congo, which is thought to have been circulating before it was detected, is likely to be much wider, the WHO has warned.

The vast impoverished central African country – whose mineral-rich east has been plagued by three decades of conflict – has limited capacity to conduct laboratory tests to confirm cases.

Conflict and Ebola

Uganda closed its border with DR Congo this week and ordered a 21-day quarantine for anyone arriving from that country.

On Friday, the WHO announced that a patient had recovered on Wednesday, left hospital and was discharged into the community after two negative tests. WHO’s Anaïs Legand said it marked a “first” among patients who had been confirmed Ebola carriers in the current outbreak.

Ebola, which spreads through close contact and bodily fluids, has killed more than 15,000 people in Africa over the past 50 years.

The deadliest outbreak in DR Congo claimed nearly 2,300 lives out of 3,500 cases between 2018 and 2020.

The medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has said of the latest outbreak that “never has an Ebola epidemic recorded so many cases in the first days after it being declared”.

It said there were not enough medical experts deployed in the afflicted region.

State services are largely lacking in Ituri province, where access is hindered by insecurity due to the presence of armed groups and militias.

“There is experience in this country and under the government’s leadership, and especially with community ownership, we can stop it,” said Tedros.

“These are the ingredients which are important, of course, with the support from the international community as well. So the issue is in our hands.

“If we do our best, it can be stopped.”

Vaccine search

No vaccine or specific treatment exists for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which is behind the current outbreak.

But the head of the CDC Africa said on Thursday that a vaccine should be ready by the end of the year.

On Saturday, the WHO said its experts had considered several potential vaccines that were “promising enough” to warrant evaluation in clinical trials.

“In the meantime, our priority is to stop transmission with tools that we have used for decades of Ebola responses, which include disease surveillance, rapid testing and diagnosis, contact tracing, isolation and care for patients, infection prevention and control, community engagement, and safe and dignified burials,” it added in a statement.

North and South Kivu provinces, that have also recorded Ebola cases in the outbreak, have been plagued by near continuous violence for three decades.

Much of the affected regions are controlled by the Rwanda-backed armed group M23 which has been battling government forces.

Millions of people have fled the fighting and are living in displacement camps with poor hygiene conditions.

Nearly a million of those displaced are in Ituri province, where the prospect of the epidemic spreading throughout the camps has sparked alarm.

“If Ebola comes, we’ll be wiped out as we’re packed like sardines,” Dorcas Mapenzi said at the Kingonze camp on the outskirts of Bunia.

Source: AFP

Minister Nalova mobilizing schools against rising obesity and diabetes

30, May 2026

Minister Nalova mobilizing schools against rising obesity and diabetes 0

Cameroon is stepping up nutrition education in secondary schools as part of a broader effort to improve adolescent health and prevent diseases linked to poor eating habits.

On May 28, 2026, education, health, and development stakeholders gathered in Yaoundé to review the first results of the Sun App project, an initiative designed to promote healthy nutrition and physical activity in schools.

The meeting, organized by the Ministry of Secondary Education in partnership with the Research and Sustainable Development Institute (RSD Institute), assessed the program’s implementation, reviewed its early impact, and explored ways to support its gradual expansion nationwide.

During the event, Secondary Education Minister Nalova Lyonga called for concrete measures to improve students’ food environment. According to state broadcaster CRTV, she recommended the creation of healthy school cafeterias, the introduction of electronic payment systems, or “cash wallets,” to help students access balanced meals, and the development of school gardens on campus.

For education officials, these measures are intended to go beyond awareness campaigns. The goal is to create school environments that encourage healthier eating habits while engaging students in practical activities related to nutrition and well-being. Sun App, short for Scaling Up Healthy Nutrition to Adolescents and Pregnant Women, was officially launched on December 4, 2024, in Ntui, located in the Mbam-and-Kim division of Cameroon’s Center Region.

The program is gradually expanding to several municipalities, including Yaoundé IV. Its objective is to improve dietary habits among adolescents while encouraging physical activity throughout school communities.

The initiative is built around two main pillars: nutrition education and the prevention of noncommunicable diseases, including diabetes, obesity, and conditions linked to malnutrition. By targeting students at an early age, program organizers hope to address unhealthy behaviors before they become deeply rooted.

The approach reflects a widely shared view among public health experts that schools are one of the most effective places to influence youth behavior. Schools not only provide knowledge but also help establish daily routines around nutrition, exercise, and healthy living.

The current effort builds on a partnership between the Ministry of Secondary Education and the RSD Institute that began in 2018. The agreement was renewed on August 19, 2025, to strengthen primary prevention efforts within the education system, particularly in secondary schools. A few weeks later, on September 2, 2025, stakeholders in Yaoundé validated a National Strategy for Nutrition Education in Schools. The framework aims to harmonize interventions, strengthen awareness campaigns, and improve coordination among programs operating across the country.

For education and health authorities, the issue now extends far beyond school meals. The broader objective is to position schools as a frontline defense against the rise of noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular conditions. These illnesses were once associated primarily with adults, but they are increasingly affecting younger populations, especially in urban areas where eating habits are changing rapidly.

Through Sun App, Cameroon hopes to establish a culture of prevention from an early age. However, the program’s success will depend on several factors, including sustainable financing for healthy school meal programs, support from local governments, family participation, teacher training, and the creation of monitoring systems capable of measuring real changes in student behavior.

Ultimately, the project’s impact will depend less on workshops and policy recommendations than on its ability to change everyday practices within schools. In that sense, Sun App is both a public health initiative and a test of Cameroon’s ability to make nutrition education a lasting part of its education system.

Source: Sbbc

Kenya: Fire in girls’ school dorm kills 16

28, May 2026

Kenya: Fire in girls’ school dorm kills 16 0

The fire broke out shortly before 1:00 am local time at Utumishi Girls Academy in Nakuru County, around 120 kilometres (75 miles) north of the capital Nairobi, officials said.

There have been many devastating school fires in Kenya, where boarding schools are common as a colonial legacy of missionaries and the British.

“We have 16 fatalities. It’s an unfortunate incident,” education minister Julius Migos Ogamba told reporters at the scene, without giving ages for the victims.

The affected dormitory had shattered windows, blackened walls and a crumpled corrugated iron roof, an AFP journalist saw.

Parents of the victims were in the process of being informed by health workers at the site mid-afternoon as bodies were identified.

A distraught mother, Leila Matura, 52, said her 18-year-old daughter was still missing.

“We went to the hospital to see if she is there, she is not there. So they are telling us, she is not around, she is among the missing,” she told AFP.

“Whether she is dead or alive, we do not know. I’m hopeless,” she added.

Another mother, who did not wish to be named, said her 17-year-old daughter was in hospital.

“She broke both her legs jumping from the window. Thank God she is strong. It is every mother’s nightmare,” she said.

The school is linked to the National Police Service and most pupils are the children of officers.

“When we arrived, the fire was still blazing. It was so big… It took about 45 minutes to extinguish the flames because of the mattresses inside,” a firefighter, who identified himself only as Fred because he was not authorised to speak to the press, told AFP.

–‘Unimaginable tragedy’-

Authorities say they are still investigating the cause of the fire.

“Our hearts and prayers are with the families who have lost their beloved daughters,” President William Ruto said on X, describing it as an “unimaginable tragedy”.

Children have been accused of deliberately starting school fires in Kenya in the past. One report found there were 63 arson cases at schools in 2018 alone.

Pupils were accused after a 2001 dormitory fire in the southern county of Machakos killed 67.

On Thursday the education minister said the ministry had closed around 350 schools since 2024 for failing to comply with safety standards.

“We will continue inspections to ensure that our schools meet the safety standards” in force, he pledged.

Source: AFP

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