A moving tribute poem by Enock Okong’o honours the 16 girls who lost their lives in the Utumishi Girls dormitory fire, reflecting on loss, courage, grief, and remembrance.
The morning rang with laughter,
classrooms bright with youthful cheer,
sixteen hearts in uniform,
dreaming futures bright and clear.
Joy danced through the corridors,
in whispers, songs, and play,
the day was theirs to conquer,
safe beneath the light of day.
But night came swift and merciless,
with smoke that stole the air,
flames that swallowed innocence,
and turned young prayers to despair.
You struggled in the darkness,
calling names no hand could find,
brave girls against the inferno,
fear and fire unconfined.
From dormitory to home, the panic spread,
a country held its breath,
mothers wept, and fathers prayed,
against the face of death.
News broke like thunder across the land,
and left a silence deep,
for sixteen daughters lost to fire,
while a nation learned to weep.
Now rest, you sixteen heroines,
your names in memory kept,
your courage shining through the smoke,
though far too early laid to rest.
May peace embrace your resting place,
where jealousy’s cruel spark
was lit by hands that called you “sister,”
and cast you into the dark.
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We hold you in our breaking hearts,
your laughter will not fade,
Utumishi’s daughters, bright and gone,
in love you will remain.
Though flames consumed your earthly path,
your memories still endure,
forever cherished, forever missed,
in hearts forever pure.
By Enock Okong’o
