President Ruto mourns 16 students killed in Utumishi Girls dormitory fire

President William Ruto has expressed his condolences to families who lost their daughters in the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, early Thursday morning.

In a statement shared on his social media accounts on Thursday, the President said: “No words can truly ease the pain of losing young lives filled with promise, hope, and dreams for the future. As a nation, we mourn with the parents, guardians, teachers, and fellow students who are enduring this unimaginable tragedy.

He said that the immediate attention is now focused on the rescue of those affected, the treatment of the injured, and support for their families, while investigations continue into the cause of the fire.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba confirmed that at least 16 students died in the incident. He added that 79 students sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

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“Out of the 79 students who were injured, 71 have been treated and discharged, while seven remain admitted,” Ogamba said, noting that authorities are still in the process of identifying the victims.

“We have 16 fatalities whose identities will be confirmed. The process of accounting for all students is ongoing,” he added.

The fire reportedly broke out at around 1 a.m. while students were asleep, rapidly engulfing one of the dormitories and causing panic within the school compound.

According to police, the affected dormitory housed approximately 220 learners from Grade 10, Form Three, and Form Four classes.

Emergency responders, including firefighters and rescue teams, managed to contain the blaze after several hours. Authorities have launched investigations to determine the cause of the fire, as grief and shock engulf the school community and the nation.

By Obegi Malack