Kalonzo Musyoka mourns Utumishi Girls fire victims, calls for urgent safety reforms

Wiper Party leader and former Vice President Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has expressed deep sorrow following the tragic dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Senior School in Gilgil, Nakuru County, which left 16 students dead and others injured

In a heartfelt statement, Kalonzo joined Kenyans in mourning the loss of the young learners, describing them as “daughters, sisters, and friends full of dreams, promise and life,” whose deaths have left families devastated.

“To the bereaved families, there are no words adequate for this moment. I stand with you and I hold you in my heart and in my prayers,” he said, extending condolences to affected families across the country.

He also wished quick recovery to students who sustained injuries during the incident, urging unity and compassion as the victims receive medical care.

The opposition leader used the moment to call for accountability and urgent reforms in school safety standards, noting that national leaders must go beyond expressions of sympathy.

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“Let us not let today’s prayers end in that hall. Let them translate into urgent and decisive action,” he stated, in reference to the ongoing National Prayer Breakfast gathering, emphasizing that leadership would ultimately be judged by actions taken to protect vulnerable citizens.

Kalonzo stressed that the tragedy should serve as a wake-up call to strengthen fire safety measures, emergency preparedness, and infrastructure standards in learning institutions across the country.

He further urged that the memory of the students should not only be honoured through tributes and condolences, but through concrete steps that prevent similar tragedies in future.

Quoting scripture, he added: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3), offering spiritual comfort to grieving families.

Authorities are expected to continue investigations into the cause of the fire as the nation grapples with renewed concerns over school safety and emergency response systems.

Utumishi Girls Senior School remains at the centre of national attention as leaders, parents and education stakeholders demand answers and lasting solutions.

By Kithinji Njeru