Kenya is in mourning following the tragic dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil that claimed 16 lives as of 12 pm on Thursday and left several students injured.
Investigations and response operations are ongoing as authorities continue to assess the situation.
Below are some of the condolences.
First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of young lives following the dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families, friends, teachers, and the entire school community during this painful time. We pray for God’s comfort, strength, and peace for all those affected, and for the quick recovery of those injured. The loss of learners with bright futures and great promise is a heartbreaking tragedy for the entire nation.”
Health CS Aden Duale
“The Ministry of Health stands in solidarity with the families, students, teachers and the entire school community of Utumishi Girls’ Academy following the tragic dormitory fire incident that occurred last night. Medical teams and emergency personnel were promptly mobilized to provide urgent treatment, trauma support and continued care to the injured students. The Ministry is closely coordinating with relevant government agencies and health facilities to ensure all affected learners receive the necessary medical attention. We mourn the young lives lost in this heartbreaking tragedy and convey our sincere condolences to the bereaved families. Our thoughts and prayers remain with all those affected as the nation joins them in grief during this difficult moment.”
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta
“I join the nation in mourning with the families who have lost their loved ones in the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil. My heart goes out to the parents, guardians, students, teachers, and the entire school community during this painful time. I pray for God’s comfort and strength for every family bearing this heavy loss. May God grant eternal peace to those we have lost, comfort to those mourning, a swift recovery to the injured, and courage to all affected in the days ahead.”
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua
“I have learnt of the fire tragedy at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County with great pain. It is unfortunate that the early morning fire incident has left scores of our young girls dead and several injured. I pass my deepest sympathies to the parents and families who have lost their young, promising daughters of our great nation. Please accept my deepest sympathies and my prayers for you. To the injured students in hospitals, I wish you a quick recovery. To the students and parents traumatised by this incident, poleni sana.”
Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika
“It is devastating that such young and promising lives were lost in this heartbreaking incident. On behalf of the people of Nakuru County, I once again extend my heartfelt condolences to the parents, guardians, teachers, and students affected by this tragedy. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved families as they navigate this painful period of grief and loss. The County Government of Nakuru is closely coordinating with the National Government to ensure all affected families receive the support they need, including counselling services for students, parents, and members of staff as they come to terms with the trauma. We also continue to pray for the speedy recovery of those still receiving treatment in hospital.”
Kanu Chairman Gideon Moi
“Our hearts go out to the families of the girls who have lost their lives in the tragic fire incident at Utumishi Girls Senior School, Gilgil. This is a deeply painful moment for parents, school fraternity and the entire nation. No parent should ever endure the pain of losing a child, especially at such a young and promising age. The Ministry of Education must move with urgency to reassess and reinforce fire safety measures within dormitory facilities of our boarding schools to help ensure such a tragedy is never witnessed again in our country. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the school community. May God grant them the fortitude to bear the pain.”
Presidential Aspirant David Maraga
“I am gutted by the fire tragedy that occurred this morning at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil. My heartfelt condolences to the families that have lost these young lives. May God comfort you in this difficult moment. I wish those who were injured a quick recovery. I have no words to comfort you for this loss to parents and the entire Utumishi Girls community, but we stand with you in this grief, even as we seek to know the cause of yet another blot on our education system.”
LSK President Charles Kanjama
“Heartbreaking tragedy at Utumishi Girls Academy. We pray for all the injured & deceased. We send our condolences to the families and friends. May the Lord give them strength & consolation to deal with this difficult time. We request the relevant Government agencies to take quick & practical steps to deal with the tragedy, investigate the causes and ensure the affected get psychosocial support, healing & where appropriate, compensation.”
PLP Leader Martha Karua
“I can only imagine the dread a parent feels receiving news that the child they sent to school has been caught up in tragedy. To the students of Utumishi Girls Academy, your families, your teachers, and the first responders on the ground my heart-felt prayers are with you in this difficult moment. May God protect every child and comfort every family facing fear and uncertainty today.”
Treasury PS, Chris Kiptoo
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic fire incident at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, which has sadly claimed the lives of several students and left others injured. This is a tragic event for the families, the school community and our nation. We continue to pray for our girls during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with the affected students, parents, teachers and all those impacted by this tragedy. May God grant comfort and strength to the grieving families and a quick recovery to those injured.”
Kiharu MP, Ndindi Nyoro
“Very very tragic incident at Utumishi Girls. Our thoughts and Prayers are with all the Parents, Learners and stakeholders during this devastating period. Our most sincere condolences to the Families that have lost their daughters in this fire accident. We wish quick recovery the Students who have been injured. Our Country is mourning. Poleni sana. We are African and Africa is our Business”
Phelix Odiwuor, Langata MP
Deeply saddened by the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls School that claimed the lives of innocent students. My heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and the entire school community. May their souls rest in peace.
Gladys Wanga, Governor of Homa Bay
I’m so saddened by the tragic fire outbreak at Utumishi Girls Academy that has claimed the lives of young, promising students and left many others injured. Our hearts go out to the bereaved families, the injured, and the entire school community during this profoundly painful moment. We stand in solidarity with the people of Gilgil and the nation as we mourn these innocent lives and pray for the swift recovery of those receiving treatment.”