The Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services has urged the public and media to uphold the privacy and dignity of students impacted by the devastating fire at Utumishi Girls Academy Senior School in Gilgil, Nakuru County.
Gender Cabinet Secretary Hanna Wendot cautioned against circulating graphic imagery, disclosing personal details of minors, or disseminating unverified details concerning the incident.
Through the State Department for Children Services, the ministry issued a press statement on Thursday, May 28, 2026, expressing sorrow to impacted families and confirming that the calamity had caused fatalities and injuries among students.
The ministry announced that child welfare officers and protection specialists have been dispatched to the area to manage urgent responses, including protecting affected students, assisting in locating and reuniting families, and establishing emergency child protection measures.
Psychological assistance and trauma counseling are being arranged for survivors, grieving families, educators, and emergency responders to aid emotional healing and psychological wellness.
Support centers and information desks are being established to help parents and guardians and enable systematic case handling.
The State Department for Children Services stated it will collaborate closely with the Ministry of Education, local government agencies, emergency units, the Kenya Red Cross, and other interested parties in investigations and child safety evaluations.
The ministry also emphasized the necessity of implementing educational facility safety protocols and enhancing emergency readiness frameworks in schools, as outlined in the Children Act, 2022.
‘The public and media are encouraged to maintain the dignity and privacy of affected students and families by refraining from sharing explicit images, minors’ personal details, or unconfirmed information about the incident,’ the statement indicated.