Grief-stricken families gathered at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil on Thursday, seeking answers after a midnight fire tore through a school dormitory, leaving 16 students dead and several others injured. Breaking It Down NAIROBI, Kenya, May 28 – The government has urged the public and media to respect the privacy and dignity of learners and families affected by the deadly fire at Utumishi Girls Academy Senior School in Gilgil, which has left
05/28/26 • 3 Views
Grief-stricken families gathered at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil on Thursday, seeking answers after a midnight fire tore through a school dormitory, leaving 16 students dead and several others injured.
📻 Breaking It Down
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 28 – The government has urged the public and media to respect the privacy and dignity of learners and families affected by the deadly fire at Utumishi Girls Academy Senior School in Gilgil, which has left 16 students dead and more than 100 others injured.
In a statement issued through the State Department for Children Services, the Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services said the country had been plunged into mourning following the tragic dormitory fire that devastated families and the school community.
In a statement, the Department said it was “profoundly saddened” by the tragedy and extended condolences to bereaved families, while wishing injured learners a swift recovery.
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“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, guardians, school community, and all those affected by this unfortunate tragedy,” the statement read. “We also wish a quick recovery to all injured learners currently receiving medical attention.”
Grief-stricken families gathered at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil on Thursday, seeking answers after a midnight fire tore through a school dormitory, leaving 16 students dead and several others injured.
Outside the institution, distraught parents and guardians endured agonising moments trying to trace their children, with many saying they had received little information about casualties and survivors.
The death toll from the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls Academy has risen to 16, with more than 100 students hospitalised with injuries as rescue and emergency response efforts continue.
The government said it had activated child protection response mechanisms in line with the Children Act, 2022, to safeguard affected learners and support families through the crisis.
According to the statement signed by Cabinet Secretary Hanna Wendot Cheptumo, Children Officers and child protection personnel have been deployed to coordinate urgent interventions, including protection of affected children, family tracing, and reunification efforts.
📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya






