Government Dissolves Utumishi Girls Academy Board After Deadly Dormitory Fire
News Updated: 29 May 2026 14:42 EAT
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has issued a statement on the arson of Utumishi Girls Academy
The government has dissolved the Board of Management of Utumishi Girls Academy and launched disciplinary action against senior school officials following the deadly dormitory fire that killed 16 students in Gilgil, Nakuru County. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced the measures during a joint statement issued alongside the Teachers Service Commission leadership after preliminary investigations pointed to arson, negligence and serious violations of school safety regulations.
“I’m here with the Chairman of the Commission for TSC, and we will be issuing a joint statement with respect to the events that occurred yesterday. As you are aware, we had the unfortunate incident of the fire in Utumishi where we lost 16 learners. We continue passing our condolences to the families of the bereaved and we continue wishing the learners who are still in hospital a quick recovery.
So, we have a joint statement that we are going to issue to just update you of the current status of where we are from yesterday, and we’ll continue calling you and giving you updates as this matter progresses.”
The Education Ministry confirmed that all learners present at the institution during the incident had been accounted for by Thursday evening. According to the government, 79 students sustained injuries of varying degrees, while seven critically injured learners were airlifted to Kenyatta National Hospital for specialized treatment. Authorities said the bodies of the deceased students had been transferred to Naivasha Sub-County Hospital mortuary for preservation and DNA identification.
“Ladies and gentlemen, as indicated yesterday, there was a tragic fire incident at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County. At the time of the incident, a total of 88 learners were within the school premises. By last evening, all the learners had been accounted for.
Most unfortunately, 16 learners lost their lives in the incident. The bodies of the departed souls have been transferred to Naivasha Sub-County Hospital mortuary for preservation and DNA identification. Parents and guardians are therefore being directed to the facility for purposes of the DNA testing.
79 learners suffered injuries of varied degrees, and seven of the injured learners are still in hospital undergoing treatment, while the rest have been treated and discharged.”
Preliminary findings released by investigators indicate that the fire was deliberately started, with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations now holding eight students identified as persons of interest. Government officials said detectives were investigating the planning and execution of the attack and warned that those found responsible would face prosecution under the Penal Code and other applicable laws.
“Preliminary investigations have established the following: Number one: The tragic fire was an act of arson. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations is currently holding and questioning eight learners who are persons of interest in this investigation. The investigation will ascertain their individual roles in the planning and execution of this heinous act.
Those found culpable will be charged in accordance with the provisions of the Penal Code and other relevant laws. We have indications that they will be presented to court as early as Tuesday next week.”
The joint statement further revealed major failures in compliance with school safety regulations. Investigators established that the affected dormitory was overcrowded and that one of the emergency exit doors had been locked, contrary to national school safety requirements. Authorities also disclosed that two teachers had reportedly received prior information from students warning of planned unrest but failed to take preventive action before the fire broke out.
“Number two: The school did not adhere to the safety requirements as stipulated in the school safety manual and the basic education regulations. In particular, there was congestion in the dormitory and one exit door was locked, contrary to the prescribed safety requirements.
Number three: Two teachers were informed of this planned unrest by a section of three learners. However, these teachers did not take appropriate action before the arson despite having been informed of this incident beforehand.”
Following the findings, the government announced sweeping disciplinary measures targeting the school administration and education officials linked to the tragedy. The Teachers Service Commission has already begun disciplinary proceedings against the school principal and the teachers accused of failing to respond to the warnings issued before the fire.
“Consequently, and in view of their foregoing findings, we have taken the following actions: The Board of Management of Utumishi Girls Academy has been dissolved for failing to ensure compliance with the school safety manual and the basic education regulations.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has been appraised of these findings and is taking appropriate and immediate disciplinary action against the Principal for failing to ensure compliance with the school safety manual and basic education regulations. The teachers who failed to take action despite having been informed of the planned unrest will also be subjected to disciplinary proceedings by the Teachers Service Commission.”
The Ministry of Education also confirmed that investigations were expanding to determine whether additional officers from the ministry and the Teachers Service Commission may have been negligent in carrying out their duties. Officials pledged further disciplinary and legal action against any officers found culpable as the government intensifies scrutiny on school safety standards across the country.
“Investigations are ongoing to establish other aspects of negligence on the part of the officers from the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission. Appropriate disciplinary and other legal action will be taken against officers found to have been negligent in their duties.
Ladies and gentlemen, we shall continue providing information and updates as these investigations continue. That is our statement as of today as an update from yesterday.”
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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