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Gospel singer Francy Grace issues update after confirming niece’s condition at Utumishi Girls
28th May, 2026 06:40 PM
Gospel singer Francy Grace has shared an emotional update confirming that her niece is safe following the tragic incident at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County.
In a short but relieved message posted on her social media pages, the singer expressed gratitude to God after confirming her niece’s safety, describing the moment as one of overwhelming relief amid the national tragedy.
“My niece is safe and sound. Glory be to God. Weeeh. We pray for peace. #UtumishiGirls,” She wrote.
The singer who is attached to Reverend Mary Lincon’s Ruiru Priesthood church also shared photos showing the student dressed neatly in the school’s red and blue uniform.
Devastating fire
The devastating fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, has left the nation in shock after at least 16 students were confirmed dead and dozens more injured following a catastrophic overnight dormitory blaze.
The tragedy unfolded in the early hours of Thursday, May 28, 2026, when the fire broke out while students were asleep, turning what should have been a normal night into a deadly emergency that quickly overwhelmed both learners and responders.
According to preliminary reports, the fire is believed to have started between 12:45 a.m. and 1:00 a.m., spreading rapidly through the dormitory block before an official emergency alert was raised at around 3:30 a.m., when authorities were finally notified of the scale of the disaster.
The blaze heavily affected the Meline Waithera Block, a multi-storey dormitory accommodating approximately 220 students drawn from Grade 10, Form 3 and Form 4.
Reports indicate the fire originated on the first floor, where it quickly intensified and completely destroyed that section of the building.
Despite efforts to contain it, the flames had already spread significantly by the time emergency teams arrived, complicating rescue operations and evacuation efforts inside the overcrowded dormitory.
A multi-agency emergency response team was deployed to the scene, comprising the Nakuru County Fire Brigade, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), and the National Youth Service (NYS).
The coordinated teams battled the inferno through the night and into the early morning hours before finally managing to fully contain the fire by around 3:00 a.m., preventing further spread to other sections of the school.
Security agencies also combed the surrounding neighbourhood as panic-stricken students reportedly fled the compound during the chaos, complicating efforts to establish full accountability of those present.
Casualties and hospital response
Forensic experts and detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) were deployed to the scene to begin the process of identifying the victims and determining the circumstances surrounding the fatalities.
In addition, 79 students were reported injured, with conditions ranging from minor burns to severe smoke inhalation. Of those rushed to nearby medical facilities, including Gilgil Sub-County Hospital and St Mark’s Hospital, 71 have since been treated and discharged, while others remain under close medical supervision in critical condition.
At the time of the incident, the school had an enrolment of 815 students, with 808 present during the tragedy, prompting authorities to carry out detailed roll-call verification as part of ongoing investigations.
Author
Steve Ireri
Steve is a senior writer with over four years of experience in digital journalism. His focus is on the showbiz and human interest stories. Emails: [email protected] , [email protected]
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