It was a night no parent should ever have to live through.
In the early hours of Thursday morning, a fire broke out at Utumishi Girls Senior School Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County. The time was around 1:00 AM. Most of the students were fast asleep in their dormitories.
By the time the flames were brought under control, 16 girls had lost their lives.
Another 79 were injured. The government has since confirmed that 71 of those injured have been treated and discharged from hospital. Seven remain admitted.
For hours, families waited in agony. They did not know if their daughters were alive or gone. The government initially held back the numbers, hoping to complete identification first. But as Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen explained, news had already spread across the country. So they made the painful decision to confirm the worst: 16 young lives had been cut short.
Education CS Migos Ogamba has also spoken publicly. He gave a clear breakdown: out of 808 girls at the school, 79 were hurt in the fire. He is now calling for patience. "Let's not be speculative at this stage," he said. He reminded Kenyans that there is a safety manual that all schools must follow. The question now is whether that manual was actually followed. That answer, he says, will come after a full investigation.
President William Ruto has since sent his heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. In a statement shared by Citizen TV Kenya, the President said his immediate focus is on three things: the care of the injured, support for affected families, and finding out what really caused the fire.
He has promised that the investigation will be thorough.
Social media has been flooded with messages of grief. One post, shared widely, read: "May the souls of our beloved girls rest in eternal peace. My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved families, fellow students, teachers, and the entire school community during this devastating time."
It is a tragedy that has shaken the entire country. And for the parents who woke up to the worst news of their lives, no words can truly heal the pain. But Kenyans are standing with them, holding their hands, and demanding answers.
0 Comments