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Most students at Utumishi Academy are police officers’ children – Murkomen
28th May, 2026 01:01 PM
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has sent a message of condolence following the tragic fire incident at Utumishi Girls’ Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
In his statement, Murkomen expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, extending sympathies to the bereaved families, the school administration, students, and the wider Utumishi Girls Academy community, before revealing that most of the students at the affected school are children of police officers serving in the National Police Service.
Murkomen also urged calm to allow investigative agencies to establish the cause of the deadly inferno that razed down a school dormitory that had over 200 students. A total of 16 students lost their lives while 79 were left nursing injuries.
“I want to pass my condolences to the families that lost their loved ones. We know that this is an anxious moment, and even as we account for the 16 who have so far been identified to have passed on, I want to ask Kenyans to stand together, we stand with the Utumishi Academy family in prayer and in support. I ask everyone to be patient; we avoid speculation on the cause of this tragedy,” Murkomen said.
“I also want to thank the multi-agency team that came in very fast, as we all know, most of the students who come to this school are children of our officers who serve in the National Police Service. So as a ministry, as a family, we stand with everybody.” He added.
Victims’ identification
The CS also outlined the process the government is using to identify victims of the deadly fire at the school, saying officials are first accounting for survivors before narrowing down the list of missing students.
Speaking at the school on Thursday, May 28, 2026, Murkomen said authorities were using what he described as a “deductive method” to trace all learners affected by the tragedy.
“We are trying to reach as many parents as possible, identifying those who are here and releasing them,” Murkomen said. “Then for those who are unaccounted for, we start speaking to those parents, counselling them and reaching out to them.” He added.
Government’s response
Shortly after the tragic incident, Murkomen and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) director, Mohamed Amin, arrived at the school. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba also joined them at the institution. Ogamba said the school has a total of 808 students.
The senior government officials convened with emergency response teams already on the ground as investigations into the incident continue.
Authorities are working to establish the cause of the fire, which broke out at 3:30 am on Thursday, May 28, 2026, while also assessing the condition of the students affected.
