Utumishi Girls Academy Begins Phased Reopening As Grade 10 Students Report
Grade 10 students at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil started lessons on Monday, marking the second phase of the school’s gradual reopening following the May 28 dormitory fire, which killed 16 girls.
Form Four students were the first to return on Thursday, July 2, with increased security and an organized post-traumatic counseling program.
Form Three students are set to report on Thursday, July 9, concluding the gradual resumption of learning.
The delayed reopening is meant to facilitate the adoption of improved security measures while also allowing students to receive tailored psychosocial care as the school works to restore normalcy.
Temporary dormitories have been erected within the school compound to accommodate learners after the ill-fated Meline Waithera Block was sealed off as a crime scene pending the conclusion of investigations.
Meanwhile, eight girls have been charged with 16 counts of murder after investigators alleged they started the fire that killed the students.
Utumishi Girls To Face Murder Charges:
The Utumishi Girls Academy fire tragedy is now being treated as a murder case.
DPP has approved 16 murder charges against students linked to the blaze that killed 16 girls in Nakuru County.#NTVTonight @MichelleNgele_ pic.twitter.com/m4YK9UqR6N— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) June 23, 2026
The minors denied the charges and remain at the Kabete Children’s Remand Home pending a ruling on their bail application, which is scheduled for September 22, 2026.
During a previous court appearance, Lady Justice Diana Kavedza directed the media to refer to the accused throughout the proceedings as “subject minors.”
She further directed the defence team to advise the subject minors to remain patient, noting that the trial is expected to take considerable time because of the number of victims involved.
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The judge directed probation officers to keep the minors under strict supervision, including restricting access to mobile phones and television to safeguard their mental well-being while in remand.
The court further ordered the parents of the subject minors to facilitate counselling for the girls while they remain in remand.
Justice Kavedza said the court’s decision on bail would be guided by a probation report prepared after interviews with the parents of the 16 deceased students, the school administration, the investigating officer and the eight accused minors.
The tragedy has continued to generate widespread public interest, with renewed calls for reforms to strengthen student safety, improve school infrastructure and address the growing wave of unrest in learning institutions.
The incident has also sparked debate over the role of parents in instilling values and discipline in children before they join school.
Utumishi Girls Academy Begins Phased Reopening As Grade 10 Students Report
