News28 May 2026 - 16:21

Utumishi Academy fire: Murkomen, Ogamba visit injured students

CSs visited injured students as probe into the deadly dormitory fire that killed 16 learners continue

by CHRISTABEL ADHIAMBO

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Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba on Thursday visited students injured in the deadly fire at Utumishi Girls Academy as the government intensified support efforts following the tragedy that claimed 16 lives.

The two Cabinet Secretaries visited the students at St Joseph’s Mission Hospital in Gilgil, where some of the learners were admitted with injuries sustained during the dormitory fire that broke out at the school on Wednesday night.

In a statement shared on his official X account, Murkomen said the government stood in solidarity with the affected families and the school community following the incident.

“We stand in solemn solidarity with the families who lost their loved ones in last night's tragic fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, and the entire school community,” Murkomen said.

He said the government had offered comfort and counselling support to the injured students.

“Today, we visited the injured students at St Joseph's Mission Hospital in Gilgil, offering them our comfort, prayers, and wishes for a swift and full recovery,” he said.

“We also offered words of encouragement, assuring them of our support, including counselling, which they need to come to terms with the tragedy.”

The fire broke out at around 12.45 am in one of the dormitories at the school, according to Education CS Ogamba.

Authorities said 16 students died in the incident while scores of others sustained injuries, with more than 70 learners rushed to different hospitals for treatment.

The tragedy sparked grief across the country, with leaders from across the political divide sending condolence messages to affected families and calling for stronger safety measures in schools.

Murkomen said investigations into the cause of the fire were ongoing and urged members of the public to remain calm as detectives and forensic teams continue with inquiries.

“As investigators work to establish the cause of the fire, we ask the public to remain calm and join us in praying for the affected,” he said.

“We will do everything in our power to ensure that if anyone was responsible for this fire, they are brought to justice.”

The Interior CS added that the government remained committed to ensuring the safety of learners in schools across the country.

Emergency response teams, including police officers, firefighters, medics and Kenya Red Cross personnel, were deployed to the school following the incident as rescue and evacuation operations continued.

The government also established the 1199 hotline to support parents seeking information about missing learners and counselling services.