Education CS Issues Fresh Orders For Utumishi Girls Students
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has announced that all pupils at Utumishi Girls’ Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, will be returned to their parents by midday today, following the fire disaster that killed 16 kids.
Addressing the press on Thursday, May 28, the CS stated that the pupils will be freed once the necessary authorities have completed the accounting procedure for all students.
“We will also be releasing learners with their parents who are here during the course of the day. The cause of the fire is yet to be known, with investigations ongoing,” Ogamba announced.
In his words, Ogamba urged Utumishi Girls’ parents to report through a government hotline as authorities continue to account for all students.
Last night, a regrettable fire tragedy befell Utumishi Girls Academy in Nakuru County. Most unfortunately, sixteen learners lost their lives while several others suffered injuries in the incident.
On behalf of the Ministry of Education and on my own behalf, I wish to convey our… pic.twitter.com/uCNyJ94upd— Julius Migos Ogamba, EBS (@HonJuliusMigos) May 28, 2026
He announced that the government had activated hotline number 1199 for parents to report information regarding students who may have left the school with relatives or guardians after the incident.
“Investigations are ongoing, and there is a hotline number 1199 to which we ask the parents to keep reporting, especially those who left with their kids when they came earlier, and that hotline number will also be available for counselling,” he said.
Ogamba further revealed that the institution has a total population of 815 girls, with 808 learners present in school at the time of the fire incident, while 7 others were home due to undisclosed reasons.
Education CS Julius Ogamba gives an update on the Utumishi Girls’ Academy dormitory fire as the identification of 16 fatalities continues.
CS Ogamba: Out of 815 girls, 79 were injured. 71 have been treated and discharged while 7 remain admitted. We have 16 fatalities whose… pic.twitter.com/BM8QSrCXU5— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) May 28, 2026
“Ladies and gentlemen, this school has 815 girls. At the time of the incident, 808 were in school; seven of the girls were at home for various reasons,” Ogamba said.
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According to the CS, 16 learners have so far been confirmed dead, 79 sustained injuries during the incident and were rushed to the hospital for treatment, with 71 treated and later discharged.
The CS said the fire broke out at around 12:45am and was contained at about 3am by emergency response teams, although extensive damage had already been done.
Police have cordoned off the scene of the fire at Utumishi Girls’ Academy as parents arrive following the deaths of at least 16 students in the early morning tragedy. Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, DCI boss Mohamed Amin and Education CS Julius Ogamba are among the senior… pic.twitter.com/qFf2WQrVVd— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) May 28, 2026
At the same time, Ogamba also cautioned the public against speculation over the cause of the fire, saying investigations would determine whether the school complied with government safety regulations.
“Let’s not be speculative at this stage. We have a school safety manual that all schools adhere to. Let’s wait and see if the manual was adhered to after the investigation,” the CS stated.
Education CS Issues Fresh Orders For Utumishi Girls Students
