Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has ordered the release of all students at Utumishi Girls’ Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, to their parents by midday Thursday following a devastating dormitory fire that has claimed 16 lives.
Speaking during a press briefing on May 28, the CS said the decision was made after authorities began the process of accounting for all learners and ensuring safe reunification with their families.
“All learners will be released to their parents during the course of the day once the necessary verification processes are completed. The cause of the fire is not yet known, and investigations are ongoing,” Ogamba said.
The ministry has instructed parents to report through a government emergency hotline as officials continue tracing students and verifying their safety status. The hotline, 1199, has been activated to assist in reporting, counselling, and tracking learners who may have left the institution with relatives or guardians after the incident.
“We ask parents to keep reporting, especially those who may have picked up their children. The hotline will also support counselling services for affected families,” he added.
Ogamba confirmed that Utumishi Girls has a total enrollment of 815 students. At the time of the incident, 808 were present on campus while seven were away for undisclosed reasons.
He further reported that 16 students died in the fire, while 79 others were injured. Of those injured, 71 have since been treated and discharged, while others remain under medical care.
Preliminary reports indicate that the fire broke out at approximately 12:45 a.m. and was contained around 3:00 a.m. by emergency response teams, although significant destruction had already occurred within the affected dormitory.
The CS cautioned against speculation on the cause of the fire, stressing that investigations are ongoing to determine whether the school complied with the national school safety guidelines.
“At this stage, let us avoid speculation. There are established safety standards for schools, and investigations will establish whether they were followed,” Ogamba said.
The tragedy has sparked renewed concern over fire preparedness and safety compliance in boarding schools across the country, as families continue to seek answers and clarity on how the incident unfolded.