Requiem mass for the 16 Utumishi Girls Academy students who died in a dormitory fire at Gilgil stadium, June 12, 2026. /SCREENGRABStudents have been urged to embrace patience and resilience when faced with challenges at school instead of resorting to risky actions to express frustration.
Speaking during the requiem mass for the 16 Utumishi Girls Academy students who died in a dormitory fire, Reverend Kivuva, the presiding priest said difficulties are a normal part of life and that those who persevere through hard times often go on to enjoy better outcomes.
Drawing from his own experience, he recalled attending school without shoes but remaining hopeful that his circumstances would improve.
He said that determination eventually enabled him to pursue further studies abroad.
"You may not get what you want in school from your parents, be patient. You know your goal is to finish up and go to the next level. We have children today who forget that," Kivuva said.
The priest addressed thousands gathered at Gilgil Stadium for the requiem service held in honour of the 16 girls who lost their lives in the May 28 tragedy.
The fire, which broke out shortly after midnight in one of the school's dormitories, is suspected to have been started by a group of students.
Seventy-nine other students sustained injuries and were admitted to various hospitals for treatment. The government confirmed on Wednesday that all of them have since been discharged.
The cleric encouraged the survivors to remain hopeful despite the traumatic experience, citing the example of a teacher at the school who survived the 2001 Kyanguli Secondary School fire tragedy and went on to rebuild his life.
"You can be a survivor and live to tell the story of how God has delivered you," Kivuva said.
He also offered words of comfort to grieving parents, drawing lessons from biblical accounts of suffering and perseverance.
Referring to King David's lamentations in scripture, he said periods of pain and unanswered questions are part of the human experience.
"Even Jesus had a moment of how long on the cross. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me. And even parents here are feeling the same; my God, my God, why have you let this happen to my child? May God come to your deliverence today," the cleric said.
"Jesus understands our human pain and even our waiting. Because he also suffered, he is able to comfort the pain of each and everyone of us."
The priest further encouraged parents to use school holidays as an opportunity to engage more closely with their children and understand the challenges they may be facing.
"Sometimes it's good to have a 'how long' moment with your students when they close schools. Let them tell you what they feel like they are missing and how they feel like saying 'how long my mum, my dad, shall you treat me like this'," he said.
Kivuva noted that generational differences can sometimes create misunderstandings between parents and children, making open communication essential.
To illustrate the point, he recounted an experience with his own child, who rejected a newly bought outfit because it did not match current fashion trends.
"So we had to negotiate and I had to look for one that was not so badly shredded so that we come to a compromise. And sometimes parents, we have to come to those moments of listening to our children," he said.
Parents of the 16 deceased girls are expected to transport the remains of their children for burial after the requiem mass.
Some of the bodies were burnt beyond recognition and had to be identified through DNA testing.
