Ombudsman Statement On The Fire Incident At Utumishi Girls Academy

The Commission on Administrative Justice (Office of the Ombudsman) has received with deep shock and profound sorrow the news of the tragic fire incident at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County.

The Commission mourns the heartbreaking loss of sixteen (16) young lives and extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, parents, guardians, teachers, students, and the entire school community affected by this tragedy. We also stand in solidarity with the seventy-nine (79) students who sustained injuries, seven (7) of whom remain in critical condition, as well as all learners and families affected by this painful incident.

Our thoughts and prayers are with every family that has lost a child, every parent anxiously waiting beside a hospital bed, and every student struggling to come to terms with this traumatic experience. No words can truly ease the grief occasioned by such a devastating loss, but we wish to assure the affected families and the wider public that the nation stands with them during this difficult time.

Utumishi Girls Academy is home to over 800 students, with approximately 200 students reported to have been in the affected dormitory at the time of the incident. As rescue efforts, investigations, and medical interventions continue, the Commission remains deeply concerned about the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of all affected learners.

The Commission acknowledges and commends the response and continued efforts of emergency responders, healthcare personnel, fire officers, police officers, disaster response teams, counselors, school administrators, and all individuals and institutions working tirelessly to provide rescue services, medical care, psychosocial support, and assistance to affected students and families.

This tragedy is also a painful reminder that Kenya has previously witnessed similar incidents in learning institutions, resulting in the loss of young lives and immeasurable suffering for families and communities. It is therefore imperative that all relevant institutions continue to strengthen safety measures, emergency preparedness, and administrative oversight to help prevent the recurrence of such tragedies in our schools.

At this stage, the Commission's foremost concern remains the dignity, healing, recovery, and well-being of the affected students, families, and the wider school community.

The Commission respectfully urges members of the public to:

1. Respect the privacy and dignity of affected students and grieving families;

2. Refrain from sharing unverified information, graphic content, or distressing images on social media and other platforms; and

3. Rely on official communication channels for verified information and guidance.

The Commission further calls upon all relevant public institutions and stakeholders to continue providing timely information, psychosocial support, medical assistance, and all necessary interventions to affected students and families.

Pursuant to Article 59(4) of the Constitution of Kenya and the Commission on Administrative Justice Act, 2011, the Commission remains committed to promoting responsive, accountable, transparent, and people-centered public administration.

In exercise of its constitutional and statutory mandate, the Commission will, in due course, engage the relevant public institutions on the administrative and oversight issues arising from this incident, particularly in light of recurring similar tragedies in learning institutions that have resulted in the loss of young lives over the years.

Accordingly, and in light of media reports on the incident, the Commission seeks clarification and requests information from the Principal Secretary, State Department for Basic Education; the County Director of Education, Nakuru County; and the Board of Management of Utumishi Girls Academy on the following matters:

i. The circumstances surrounding the outbreak, escalation, and containment of the fire, including any preliminary findings on its cause.

ii. The institution's compliance with applicable fire safety laws and regulations, including the installation, functionality, and maintenance of fire detection and suppression systems, emergency exits, and evacuation procedures as required under the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Fire Risk Reduction Rules.

iii. Records of safety inspections, audits, compliance certifications, and any recommendations issued under the Basic Education Act and related regulatory frameworks before the incident.

iv. The adequacy, timeliness, and coordination of emergency response and evacuation measures undertaken during and immediately after the incident.

v. The number of learners affected, the nature of injuries and fatalities reported, and the measures undertaken to provide medical care, psychosocial support, and family reunification.

vi. The adequacy of oversight and enforcement measures by the Ministry of Education, County Education Offices, and other relevant inspection and regulatory bodies in ensuring compliance with school safety standards.

vii. The corrective and preventive measures currently being implemented to mitigate further risk and ensure compliance with statutory safety obligations within the institution and other learning institutions nationally.

viii. The communication protocols and measures used to inform parents and guardians during and after the incident, guardians, and the public regarding the incident and ongoing interventions.

At this difficult moment, however, the Commission joins the nation in mourning, comforting the bereaved, and standing in solidarity with all those affected by this tragedy.

May the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace, and may all those affected find strength, comfort, and healing in the days ahead.

DATED AT NAIROBI THIS 28th DAY OF 2026

CHARLES CharlRela DULO, EBS

COMMISSION CHAIRPERSON