Education Ministry Dissolves Utumishi Girls Board, Orders Action Against School Principal
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has ordered the immediate removal of the Utumishi Girls Academy school’s Board of Management due to suspected carelessness in the death of 16 students.
Addressing the press on Friday, May 29, the CS accused the school administration of failing to follow the safety requirements outlined in the School Safety Manual and the Basic Education Regulations.
In particular, Ogamba revealed that there was overcrowding in the dormitory, and one escape door was locked, which violated the safety regulations.
He also claimed that two teachers were informed of a planned disruption by a group of Form Three students, but the teachers failed to take proper measures prior to the arson.
“Consequently, the Board of Management of Utumishi Girls Academy has been dissolved for failing to ensure compliance with the School Safety Manual and the Basic Education Regulations,” Ogamba directed.
Education CS Julius Ogamba gives update on Utumishi Girls Senior School fire
Ogamba: 8 students arrested as persons of interest over suspected arson
Detectives continue to record statements and analyze evidence
Ogamba: Two teachers were informed about attack and took no action… pic.twitter.com/0lAod27ond— KBC Channel 1 News (@KBCChannel1) May 29, 2026
Besides dissolving the board of management, Ogamba also directed the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to take immediate disciplinary action against the school principal.
Similarly, the two teachers who failed to take action despite having been informed of the planned unrest will also be subjected to disciplinary proceedings.
Ogamba further announced that investigations are ongoing to establish other aspects of negligence by officers from the Ministry of Education and TSC.
CS Ogamba dissolves Utumishi Girls Board of Management over safety manual compliance failures pic.twitter.com/TdmhWYvQKJ— Daily Nation (@NationAfrica) May 29, 2026
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“Appropriate disciplinary and legal action will be taken against officers found to have been negligent in their duties,” he stated.
“We shall provide further information in due course as investigations progress.”
The CS attributed the tragic incident to an arson attack, maintaining that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is currently holding and questioning 8 learners linked to the fire.
“The 8 students are persons of interest in the investigation. The investigation will ascertain their individual roles in the planning and execution of this heinous act,” Ogamba disclosed.
Meanwhile, besides the 16 deaths, 79 learners suffered injuries of varying degrees.
However, 71 of the injured learners are still in hospital undergoing treatment, while the rest have been treated and discharged.
Education Ministry Dissolves Utumishi Girls Board, Orders Action Against School Principal
