The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has joined the nation in mourning the 16 students who lost their lives in the tragic fire at Utumishi Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, while also calling for stricter enforcement of school safety regulations to prevent similar disasters.
In a condolence message signed by Secretary General Collins Oyuu on behalf of the union’s National Executive Council, KNUT said it was “deeply shocked and saddened by the devastating fire tragedy at Utumishi Academy where sixteen students have been reportedly killed and several others injured.”
The teachers’ union described the incident as a national tragedy that has robbed families and the country of young lives full of promise and potential.
“Words cannot express the profound sorrow we feel for the loss of your beautiful daughters,” the statement reads. “No parent should ever have to endure this kind of pain.”
The union extended its sympathies to the bereaved families, acknowledging the immense grief facing parents, relatives, teachers, and fellow learners affected by the tragedy.
“To the families who lost their loved ones, our hearts ache with you,” KNUT stated. “These young girls had bright futures and promising dreams, and their loss is a devastating blow to the entire nation.”
As the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of the fire, KNUT called for renewed commitment to school safety measures, arguing that existing policies provide a framework that should be fully implemented by all learning institutions.
The union reminded education stakeholders that the Ministry of Education already has the Safety Standards Manual for Schools (2008), which it described as “the critical blueprint for protecting students and staff.”
According to the statement, the policy should be used in “standardizing emergency responses, preventing accidents, and fostering a secure, focused learning environment that directly improves academic retention and student well-being.”
KNUT further urged school administrators to take personal responsibility in ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
“All school heads and principals MUST be guided by this policy so as to avert any other incidences of the same nature,” the statement emphasized.
The union also challenged the Quality Assessments and Standards Directorate within the Ministry of Education to strengthen oversight and monitoring of school facilities across the country.
“More so, the Quality Assessments and Standards Directorate at the Ministry of Education should stand out in conducting regular and routine check-ups to school infrastructure to ensure safety at all times,” KNUT said.
While investigations into the cause of the fire continue, the teachers’ union called for calm and patience, expressing confidence that government agencies would establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
“On behalf of the KNUT National Executive Council, the leadership of teachers across the country and the teachers of Kenya, we wish the affected peace, calm and sobriety as government agencies continue to investigate and bring out the real cause of this tragedy,” the statement noted.
The union concluded its message by honouring the memory of the students who lost their lives, saying, “May the souls of our daughters rest in eternal peace.”
READ ALSO: Kenya Red Cross steps up psychosocial support for traumatized Utumishi Girls students, teachers, parents
The condolence message was issued on Thursday, May 28, 2026, as leaders, education stakeholders, and Kenyans from all walks of life continued to mourn the victims of one of the country’s deadliest school fire tragedies in recent years.
By Our Reporter
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