Form Four Students Return As Utumishi Girls Academy Reopens In Phases After Deadly Fire
News Updated: 02 July 2026 14:49 EAT
Photo courtesy : Utumishi Girls Academy main entrance
Form Four students on Thursday returned to Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, marking the beginning of a phased reopening of the school following the May 28 dormitory fire that claimed the lives of 16 learners. The institution had remained closed for more than a month as authorities investigated the tragedy, offered counselling to affected students and staff, and implemented measures aimed at improving safety before learning resumed.
The Ministry of Education approved the phased reopening after consultations with school management, parents and security agencies. Form Four candidates were given priority to allow them to continue preparations for their national examinations, while the remaining classes are expected to report back in stages. Parents were required to accompany their children during the reporting process.
To accommodate returning learners, the school has erected approximately 300 temporary tents equipped with mattresses provided by the National Police Service. The tents will serve as temporary dormitories while construction of a new permanent boarding facility continues. Education officials said the arrangement is intended to ensure learning resumes without compromising the safety of students.
Nakuru County Director of Education Victoria Mulili said the temporary accommodation can house at least 300 learners as work progresses on a new multi-storey dormitory with a capacity of 240 beds. She said the reopening followed inspections to ensure the school had met the minimum requirements for students to return safely.
The fatal fire broke out shortly after midnight on May 28 in the Meline Waithera dormitory, which accommodated about 220 students. Sixteen learners died while 79 others sustained injuries, making the incident one of Kenya's worst school fire disasters in recent years and prompting renewed scrutiny of safety standards in boarding schools.
Following the tragedy, the Ministry of Education ordered the closure of the school to allow investigations and assess the condition of the institution. Counselling services were also provided to survivors, teachers and bereaved families as part of the recovery process before reopening.
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations launched a comprehensive probe into the incident, collecting witness statements, reviewing CCTV footage and conducting forensic examinations. Investigators concluded that the fire was suspected to have been deliberately started, leading to the arrest of several students.
Eight students have since been charged with 16 counts of murder in connection with the dormitory fire. The accused pleaded not guilty before the High Court, with the proceedings being conducted under legal protections that prohibit the publication of the identities of the minors involved.
The High Court also directed that the accused undergo age and mental assessments before the trial proceeds. The case remains under active judicial consideration as prosecutors continue presenting evidence gathered during the investigation.
Parents have continued to call for enhanced fire safety measures before the school fully resumes normal operations. Among the concerns raised are improved emergency exits, installation of additional fire detection equipment, strengthened security, and regular emergency response drills.
The Ministry of Education has reiterated its commitment to strengthening safety standards in all boarding schools across the country. Officials say the lessons learned from the Utumishi Girls Academy tragedy will inform broader reforms aimed at preventing similar incidents in learning institutions.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD