Ruto Aide Farouk Kibet Pushes School Canteens Shutdown to Curb Fires

President Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet ignited fierce debate when he pushed for school canteens’ shutdown to curb fires across Kenya. He spoke out as authorities tallied more than 37 incidents by early June 2026. The proposal comes after the tragic May 28 inferno at Utumishi Girls Academy claimed 16 young lives and another dormitory blaze struck Gathiruini Boys High School.

Farouk Kibet did not hold back at the recent public gathering. He demanded action against what he sees as an obvious spark.

Ruto watched the exchange from the sidelines while his trusted aide took centre stage. The comment landed like a bombshell. Critics wasted no time tearing into the idea. They noted that most school canteens hardly stock matches at all.

What drives Kenyan students to set their own schools ablaze?

Deep frustration from exam pressure, packed dormitories, and rundown buildings pushes many teenagers toward arson. Officials now scramble for real answers.

Kibet addressed the crowd with blunt force. He declared schools must act fast. “Canteen za shule zifungwe kwa sababu ndizo zinauza viberiti za kuchoma shule,” he said during the heated moment. His words spread instantly across local media and social platforms. Parents in Nairobi and rural counties reacted with shock and anger. Some teachers privately agreed that vendors sometimes slip students contraband items. Yet most education experts dismiss the canteen’s focus as missing the bigger picture.

The fires keep coming. On May 28, flames tore through Utumishi Girls Academy and stole 16 futures in one night. Rescue teams arrived too late to save the trapped girls. Just days later, smoke rose again from Gathiruini Boys High School dormitories. Students there escaped with minor injuries, but the pattern terrifies families nationwide.

Students often face four or five students squeezed into spaces meant for two. Nighttime checks reveal faulty wiring and blocked corridors in many public institutions built decades ago.

Ruto faces growing pressure to respond. His administration already promised better school infrastructure after similar waves in previous years. Yet the numbers climbed again this season. Police now probe each incident for criminal intent while child psychologists urge communities to listen more closely to their youth.

Local leaders in affected areas organised emergency meetings. They invited parents, teachers, and students to share frustrations before more tragedy strikes. One mother from the Utumishi area wiped tears as she described her daughter’s final days. The girl had complained about poor food and constant fear of bullies. No one expected fire.

Experts point to solutions that actually work. Some schools already test night patrols and anonymous reporting apps. Results look promising where leaders commit real resources.

The aide’s proposal split opinions sharply. Supporters say any measure helps when lives hang in the balance. Opponents insist Kenya must tackle root causes instead of chasing easy targets. They argue closing canteens would simply drive vendors underground without fixing exam stress or crumbling facilities.

Ruto remains under scrutiny as June unfolds. His government pledged fresh funding for school safety audits by the end of the month. Meanwhile, students return to classrooms with mixed feelings. Some whisper about the next potential blaze while others focus on upcoming tests.