NAKURU, Kenya- Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo has mourned the students who died in the deadly dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, calling for urgent national investment in school fire safety and disaster preparedness.
In an emotional statement released on Thursday, Odhiambo said her heart was broken by the tragedy, which claimed the lives of at least 16 students after a fire tore through a dormitory in the early hours of the morning.
“My heart breaks for the families of the students who have lost their lives in the dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in the early hours of this morning,” she said.
“They went to school in pursuit of a future and now that future was stolen from them and from us all.”
The former LSK president extended condolences to the grieving families, teachers and the entire school community, saying there were no words that could adequately comfort the pain caused by the tragedy.
“To the parents, siblings, teachers and the entire Utumishi Girls family, there are no words to describe or comfort this pain. I stand with you in grief,” she added.
Odhiambo also praised emergency responders who rushed to the scene, including the Kenya Red Cross, police officers and firefighters involved in rescue efforts.
“To the Kenya Red Cross, the Rift Valley Regional Police Commander and all emergency responders who rushed to the scene, thank you for your service in an extremely difficult moment,” she stated.
She further urged the government and stakeholders to treat the tragedy as a wake-up call on the state of safety in schools across the country.
“As a nation, this is our moment to reflect. We must invest more in school fire safety infrastructure, emergency response capacity, and disaster preparedness across every county,” Odhiambo said.
“Our children deserve schools that are not just places of learning but places of safety.”
The fire broke out at around 4.30 am at the Meline Waithera dormitory block at Utumishi Girls Academy, which housed more than 200 students.
Police said dozens of learners were injured and admitted to Gilgil Sub-County Hospital and St. Mark’s Hospital as investigations into the cause of the fire continue.
The tragedy has revived painful memories of previous deadly school fires in Kenya, including the Hillside Endarasha Academy fire in Nyeri that killed 21 pupils in 2024.
