KUPPET blames Education Ministry over Utumishi Girls fire

In a subsequent development to the story, the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) now says the Ministry of Education should bear responsibility for the fire incident that claimed 16 lives. KUPPET officials who toured the school on Wednesday alleged that the Ministry of Education allowed the admission of excess students, leading to severe congestion in the ill-fated dormitory. They also claim the ministry permitted transfers of students from other schools without consultation with the school principal. The officials, who defended teachers from any blame, insist their members had no knowledge of any plan to torch the dormitory. However, they acknowledged there had been concerns raised over the quality of food served the night before the tragedy.