DCP Secretary General John Methu Mourns Utumishi Girls Academy Victims
News Updated: 28 May 2026 17:50 EAT
Democracy for the Citizens Party Secretary General John Methu addressing the nation at the DCP headquarters in Nairobi
Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) Secretary General and Nyandarua Senator John Methu has issued a strongly worded statement following the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, that claimed the lives of at least 16 students and left dozens injured.
Speaking on behalf of the party and its supporters across the country, Methu conveyed condolences to the bereaved families while praying for the recovery of survivors receiving treatment in various hospitals.
“This morning we’ve woken up to the sad news of the fire tragedy at Utumishi Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County. On behalf of the DCP party, on behalf of our supporters across the country and beyond, we send our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the families and parents who’ve lost their loved ones. We pray for speedy recovery of the injured and those in hospitals,” Methu stated.
The DCP Secretary General described the incident as a devastating national tragedy, saying no parent should endure the pain of losing a child in circumstances that could potentially have been prevented.
“So far, we’ve been informed that we have lost over 16 girls and about 79 have been injured. This is a great loss to our nation and families who have lost their loved ones. No parent should go through such pain and ordeal. No child deserves to lose their future full of great potential,” he said.
The fire reportedly broke out shortly after midnight in a dormitory housing more than 200 students at the police-sponsored school in Gilgil. Government officials confirmed that 16 girls died while 79 others sustained injuries, with several survivors receiving treatment and others discharged after medical attention. Investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations are ongoing to establish the cause of the blaze.
Methu and the DCP leadership questioned the effectiveness of the country’s disaster preparedness and emergency response systems, arguing that repeated school fire tragedies point to long-standing institutional failures.
“One death is one too many. Any nation that loses its young people in what could have been prevented must question their moral and responsible consciousness,” Methu said.
The senator referenced previous school disasters including St. Kizito, Kyanguli Boys, Hillside Academy and Endarasha, saying Kenya continues to lose students despite repeated promises of reforms and improved safety measures.
“As the nation mourns, we strongly question the disaster preparedness in our country, especially in our boarding schools. We have lost too many students for a long time, ranging from St. Kizito in the 1990s, Kyanguli Boys, Hillside and Russia Academy and countless others,” he added.
Methu also criticized the speed and coordination of the government response during the overnight fire, accusing authorities of failing to act swiftly despite receiving early information about the tragedy.
“We are adequately aware that the Cabinet Secretary for Interior, Kipchumba Murkomen, was informed of the fire tragedy at 2:00 a.m. last night, but he could not marshal government machinery and drive a distance of one and a half hours,” the statement claimed.
The DCP leadership further demanded accountability from senior government officials, including Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, saying the tragedy had exposed weaknesses in the enforcement of school safety regulations.
“What was so hard for the Cabinet Secretary of Education to move to Nakuru as compared to going to Safari Park Hotel when our girls have died in numbers? Where is empathy? Kenya deserves better,” Methu stated.
The party also questioned the status of the National Disaster Response Committee formed in 2023 and criticized the delay in operationalizing the National Disaster Response Management Bill.
“Moving into the future, we must put Kenya in a much better space in terms of disaster preparedness, disaster management and mitigation. The question that we ask is where is the National Disaster Response Committee, including all the key stakeholders, that was appointed in the year 2023 and put under the Office of the Deputy President?” the statement read.
Methu concluded by urging the government to prioritize psychological support for survivors and affected families while calling for a comprehensive audit of safety standards in boarding schools across the country.
“How safe are our schools? If Utumishi Academy could lose 16 girls, yet we have security agencies at a stone's throw, how safe are our kids in the other parts of the country?” he posed.
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