MC Chris questions Ruto’s failure to halt Safari Park meeting after Utumishi Girls fire

Events emcee and TikToker Chris Kirubi Junior has sharply criticised President William Ruto and senior government officials over their attendance at a Safari Park prayer breakfast as the nation mourned the Utumishi Girls Academy fire tragedy in Gilgil.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, May 28, 2026, Chris questioned why senior leaders proceeded with the high-profile prayer gathering instead of shifting focus to the unfolding disaster at Utumishi Girls Academy, where students lost their lives, and many others were injured in a dormitory blaze.

He described the situation as insensitive, saying government officials should have prioritised addressing the tragedy and supporting affected families instead of attending public religious engagements.

“Kasongo, CSs and other government officials are busy eating smokie, mandazi and kahawa tungu with bladfakin prayers at safari Park prayers AS THE COUNTRY MOURNS THE IRRESPONSIBLE DEATHS OF OUR CHILDREN AT UTUMISHI GIRLS GILGIL,” he wrote.

MC Chris further questioned what he termed a failure of leadership, suggesting that the government should have demonstrated urgency and solidarity by either halting or suspending public appearances during such a national crisis.

He also criticised the broader emergency response framework, implying that the tragedy exposed gaps in preparedness and coordination when dealing with large-scale school disasters.

“Something that could have been stopped from escalating by the county government of NAKURU. No emergency fire control vehicles at Gilgil, but maybe she was busy making other twins. Very insensitive government!! Mnaomba nini sasa??” he added.

Fire tragedy

The remarks come in the wake of a devastating fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, which left at least 16 students dead and dozens of others injured.

The fire broke out in the early hours of Thursday, May 28, 2026, between approximately 12:45 a.m. and 1:00 a.m., while students were asleep in the Meline Waithera dormitory block.

The dorm housed more than 200 students from different classes, making evacuation extremely difficult once the blaze started spreading.

Emergency response teams, including county fire brigade units and multi-agency security officers, were deployed to the scene and managed to contain the fire several hours later. Despite the response, the damage had already been extensive.

Authorities confirmed that at least 16 students died in the incident, while about 79 others sustained injuries ranging from burns to smoke inhalation. Several of the injured were rushed to Gilgil Sub-County Hospital and other nearby medical facilities, where some remain under treatment.

The government has since ordered the immediate closure of the school and launched investigations into the cause of the fire, with senior officials visiting the scene to oversee forensic analysis.

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