Government to Cover Funeral Costs for 16 Utumishi Girls Fire Victims, Offer Support to Injured Families
News Updated: 06 June 2026 19:53 EAT
Government of Kenya Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura
The Kenyan government has confirmed that it will fully cover funeral expenses for the 16 students who died in the Utumishi Girls Academy dormitory fire in Gilgil, Nakuru County, following the tragic incident that occurred in late May 2026.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said the State is working with families to ensure dignified burials, including coordination of mortuary services, transportation, coffins and related funeral arrangements.
Authorities also confirmed that the government will provide financial support to families of students who were injured in the fire as part of emergency relief measures.
Mwaura stated that each of the seven students who were admitted to hospital will receive Sh200,000 per family to assist with medical and recovery costs.
Education officials reported that the fire resulted in the deaths of 16 learners and left dozens of others injured, with emergency teams deployed to rescue and treat victims.
The Ministry of Education ordered the closure of the school shortly after the incident to allow investigations and safety assessments to be carried out.
Investigators from multiple agencies, including security and disaster response teams, are probing the cause of the fire, with findings still pending.
Authorities have said initial response operations involved fire and rescue units, police officers and medical teams who worked through the night to contain the blaze and evacuate students.
The tragedy occurred in a dormitory housing hundreds of students, prompting widespread concern over boarding school safety standards across the country.
Officials have emphasized that most of the injured students received treatment, with many later discharged from hospital while others continue recovering.
Government representatives have urged calm and cautioned against the spread of unverified claims as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Religious and community leaders have joined in mourning the victims, calling for improved safety measures in educational institutions nationwide.
The government has assured affected families of continued support, including counseling services and coordination of burial arrangements, as the nation comes to terms with the loss.
The Utumishi Girls fire is now considered one of the most severe recent school tragedies in Kenya, prompting renewed calls for stricter enforcement of school safety regulations.
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FELIX MAKONA
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