News28 May 2026 - 11:28

[PHOTOS] Murkomen at Gilgil school as dorm fire toll hits 16

"We express our heartfelt condolences to the families of the girls we lost in this painful incident."

by PURITY WANGUI

Audio By Vocalize

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen is at Utumishi Girls Senior School in Gilgil, Nakuru County, following a dormitory fire that claimed 16 lives, according to preliminary reports.

He said: "We have arrived at Utumishi Girls Senior School in Gilgil to condole with the families and the school community following last night's dormitory fire tragedy."

Murkomen expressed condolences to the affected families.

"We express our heartfelt condolences to the families of the girls we lost in this painful incident and wish a quick recovery to the injured."

He added: "We shall issue a comprehensive statement on the incident in due course."

Basic Education Principal Secretary Prof. Julius Bitok is also at the school, coordinating rescue and recovery efforts following the incident.

DCI boss Mohamed Amin is on the ground to oversee preliminary investigations into the cause of the fire.

Murkomen has confirmed that 16 students are dead following the incident. Authorities say rescue and assessment operations are ongoing as the situation is stabilised.

All the officials are on site as coordination continues between government agencies, rescue teams and investigators at the school.

Further updates are expected as authorities continue to assess the situation and respond to the tragedy at the school site.