Nairobi, July 21 -- The horrific fire at Utumishi girls school in Nakuru left the nation traumatised. This was followed by a series of identical fires across many boarding secondary schools leading to temporary closures. While investigations into circumstances that led to the tragedy at Utumishi are ongoing, several leaders have proposed reintroduction of corporal punishment. I disagree.

Corporal punishment was banned in Kenyan schools in 2001 and was later outlawed in all settings and for all persons in the Constitution 2010. The reason justification was due to widespread cases of serious student injuries including fatalities.

Outright abuses were inherent in the caning model. These abuses included collective punishment, excessive cani...