Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba on Thursday visited students injured in the fatal fire at Utumishi Girls Academy as the government increased support efforts following the tragedy that resulted in 16 deaths.
The two Cabinet Secretaries visited the students at St Joseph’s Mission Hospital in Gilgil, where some of the learners were admitted with injuries sustained during the dormitory fire that erupted at the school on Wednesday night.
According to a statement released through his official X account, Murkomen stated the government stood in solidarity with the affected families and the school community following the incident.
“We stand in solemn solidarity with the families who lost their loved ones in last night’s tragic fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, and the entire school community,” Murkomen said.
He mentioned the government had provided comfort and counselling support to the injured students.
“Today, we visited the injured students at St Joseph’s Mission Hospital in Gilgil, offering them our comfort, prayers, and wishes for a swift and full recovery,” he said.
“We also offered words of encouragement, assuring them of our support, including counselling, which they need to come to terms with the tragedy.”
The fire occurred at approximately 12.45 am in one of the dormitories at the school, according to Education CS Ogamba.
Authorities reported 16 students died in the incident while numerous others sustained injuries, with more than 70 learners transported to various hospitals for treatment.
The tragedy caused grief throughout the country, with leaders from different political parties sending condolence messages to affected families and calling for enhanced safety measures in schools.
Murkomen stated investigations into the cause of the fire were ongoing and urged members of the public to remain calm as detectives and forensic teams continue with inquiries.
“As investigators work to determine the cause of the fire, we ask the public to remain calm and join us in praying for the affected,” he said.
“We will do everything in our power to ensure that if anyone was responsible for this fire, they are brought to justice.”
The Interior CS added that the government remained dedicated to ensuring the safety of students in schools across the country.
Emergency response teams, comprising police officers, firefighters, medics and Kenya Red Cross personnel, were dispatched to the school following the incident as rescue and evacuation operations continued.
The government also established the 1199 hotline to assist parents seeking information about missing students and counselling services.