Leaders mourn 16 students killed in Utumishi Girls Academy fire

Several leaders have expressed condolences and called for increased investment in school fire safety and emergency preparedness following a dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil that claimed at least 16 students’ lives.

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris described the incident as heartbreaking and conveyed condolences to the affected families, students, teachers and the wider school community.

“This is heartbreaking. Ten young girls reportedly losing their lives in a dormitory fire is a tragedy beyond words. My deepest condolences go out to the families, fellow students, teachers and the entire Utumishi Girls Academy community in Gilgil,” she said in a statement.

Passaris said the tragedy had once again brought attention to concerns around school fire safety, emergency preparedness, dormitory standards and mental health support in learning institutions.

“As rescue and recovery efforts continue, we must once again confront the urgent issue of school fire safety, emergency preparedness, dormitory standards and mental health support within our institutions,” she said.

“No parent sends a child to school expecting such devastating news.”

She also wished strength for emergency responders involved in rescue and recovery operations.

Former Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo also mourned the students and expressed solidarity with the affected families and school community.

“My heart breaks for the families of the 10 students who have lost their lives in the dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in the early hours of this morning. They went to school in pursuit of a future and now that future was stolen from them and from us all,” she said.

“To the parents, siblings, teachers and the entire Utumishi Girls family, there are no words to describe or comfort this pain. I stand with you in grief.”

Odhiambo thanked emergency responders, including the Kenya Red Cross and police officers, for their response to the incident.

“To the Kenya Red Cross, the Rift Valley Regional Police Commander and all emergency responders who rushed to the scene, thank you for your service in an extremely difficult moment,” she said.

She called for more investment in school safety infrastructure and disaster preparedness measures across the country.

“As a nation, this is our moment to reflect. We must invest more in school fire safety infrastructure, emergency response capacity and disaster preparedness across every county. Our children deserve schools that are not just places of learning but places of safety,” she said.

On his part, Treasury PS Chris Kiptoo said no pain could ease the pain of losing young lives filled with promise, hopes and dreams for the future.

"Our hearts and prayers are with the families who have lost their beloved daughters in the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil. As a nation, we mourn with the parents, guardians, teachers, and fellow students who are enduring this unimaginable tragedy," he said.

"Our immediate attention is focused on the rescue of those affected, the treatment of the injured, and support for their families, while investigations continue into the cause of the fire. May God grant comfort and strength to the grieving families during this painful time. Poleni sana."

Former CS Justin Muturi also expressed his condolences to the families.

"My heart bleeds this morning as our country comes to terms with the horrifying tragedy at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County. The devastating loss of innocent young girls in a fire incident that has plunged families into unimaginable pain is deeply heartbreaking," he said.

"It is difficult to find words strong enough to comfort parents whose daughters left home in pursuit of education and dreams, only for their lives to be tragically cut short. I join the nation in mourning these precious young souls whose futures were full of hope and promise. To the grieving families, please receive my deepest and most heartfelt condolences during this painful and dark moment. May God strengthen you and carry you through the unbearable grief and sorrow. My prayers are also with the students who sustained injuries and those traumatised by the incident."

"May God grant them healing, comfort and protection. As a nation, we must not only mourn but also urgently re-examine the safety of our learning institutions to ensure that our children are always secure and protected. On behalf of my family and the Democratic Party fraternity, I extend my deepest sympathy to all affected by this tragedy. Today, Kenya mourns. Today, parents cry. Today, hearts are broken. May the souls of the departed girls rest in eternal peace, and may God comfort every family affected by this tragedy," Muturi added.