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Utumishi Girls’ Academy closed following fire tragedy
28th May, 2026 12:41 PM
Utumishi Girls’ Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, has been closed following a dormitory fire that killed 16 students and injured 79 others in the early hours of Thursday, May 28.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced the closure during a press briefing at the school, saying all learners were to be released to their parents and guardians by midday Thursday, once authorities complete the process of accounting for every student.
“The cause of the fire is yet to be known, with investigations ongoing,” Ogamba said, urging the public against speculation over what started the blaze.
Of the 79 students who sustained injuries, 71 were treated and discharged, with seven remaining admitted to the hospital for further treatment.
The CS says the fire broke out at around 12:45 am and was contained by emergency response teams at about 3 am, though extensive damage had already been done by that point.
Fire brigades from Naivasha joined the operation alongside the Kenya Defence Forces in battling the blaze.
Murkomen promises a thorough investigation
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has promised that the government will undertake a thorough investigation as the students are released.
“This is a serious tragedy for our country, and the investigations into this tragedy will be thorough. The DCI is here, crime scene investigators are already on site, and officers from the government chemist are also present. All processes will be undertaken, including DNA tests,” Murkomen said.
“Even as we release the parents whose students have not been injured but have been affected psychologically, the hotline number has been given, which is 119, basically for people to call for help.
“We are working with the Kenya Red Cross, which is part of the national disaster management team, so that even as the children are at home, we will make sure they can receive counselling services and psychosocial assistance wherever they may be,” Murkomen added.
Senior officials convene as Ruto mourns
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, DCI Director Mohammed Amin, Education PS Prof Julius Bitok, DIG Eliud Lagat, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, the Parliamentary Committee on Education, and the Director of the Homicide Department, Martin Nyuguto, all converged at the school Thursday morning.
Ogamba cautioned the public to await the outcome of the investigation before concluding whether the school adhered to government safety regulations.
“Let’s not be speculative at this stage. We have a school safety manual that all schools adhere to. Let’s wait and see if the manual was adhered to after the investigation,” he says.
President William Ruto joined the nation in mourning, saying the government’s immediate focus is on rescue efforts, treatment of the injured, and support for affected families.
The government has also activated hotline number 1199 for parents to report information regarding students who may have left the school with relatives or guardians after the incident.
“Investigations are ongoing, and there is a hotline number 119 to which we ask the parents to keep reporting, especially those who left with their kids when they came earlier, and that hotline number will also be available for counselling,” he said.
