Utumishi Girls’ Academy: Requiem mass held for fire victims, Rachel Ruto attends
By Valerian Khakayi, June 12, 2026A requiem mass for the victims of the tragic Utumishi Girls’ Academy fire is being held in Gilgil, Nakuru County, today, Friday, June 12, 2026, bringing together grieving families, friends, schoolmates and leaders to pay their final respects to the young girls who lost their lives.
First Lady Rachel Ruto is among the leaders attending the emotional service as the nation continues to mourn the learners who perished in the devastating school fire.
The victims being honoured during the requiem mass are Purity Naisula, Imani Boit, Mercy Precious, Cecilia Wanjiku, Juliet Linah, Neema Wairimu, Getrude Muthoni, Zuhura Rama, Jane Kimani, Jullie Hinga, Fortune Aimaya, Sheril Onderi, Sallystine Melly, Precious Wanjeri, Nicole Michelle and Abigael Chepng’eno.
One of the victims has already been laid to rest in Ukunda, Kwale County, ahead of the joint requiem service in Gilgil.
The Utumishi Girls’ Academy tragedy has plunged families, friends and the country into mourning, with many Kenyans expressing their grief and solidarity with the affected families.
The requiem mass continues to serve as a moment of remembrance and prayer, as loved ones celebrate the lives of the young girls and seek comfort during the painful period of loss.
Utumishi fire
The Thursday, May 28, 2026, fire started on the upper floor of the Meline Waithera dormitory, which is a two-storey building. While the ground floor remained largely intact, the first floor sustained extensive fire damage.
The affected top floor had 12 cubicles that housed a total of 135 double-decker beds.
Of the 808 students who were on the school grounds, 79 sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.
Emergency teams also recovered 16 bodies from the building after concluding rescue operations. All the bodies have been taken to the Naivasha sub-county referral hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations and formal identification.
The emergency response was a massive multi-agency effort coordinated by the National Police Service. It involved the Kenya Defence Forces, National Youth Service, Kenya Red Cross Society, Kenya Power, and the Nakuru County Government, among other agencies.
The tragedy triggered an outpouring of grief across the country, with leaders and members of the public expressing shock on social media.