CS Ogamba Orders Indefinite Closure of Utumishi Girls After Deadly Fire Kills 16 Students

CS Ogamba during laying-ceremony for a dining hall project in Father Makewa High School on May 15,2026

Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Ogamba has ordered the indefinite closure of Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, following a devastating dormitory fire that claimed the lives of 16 students in the early hours of Thursday morning, May 28.

Several other learners were injured, while others escaped with trauma after the inferno tore through the dormitory.

Speaking at the institution during a visit to assess the situation and console affected families, Ogamba announced that the government had formed a multi-agency team to handle the crisis, investigate the cause of the fire, and support the grieving families and students.

“As a community, as a school, and together with the parents, and just to say that as a government we have formed a multi-agency team that is going to handle this crisis,” Ogamba said.

The CS acknowledged the pain and emotional toll caused by the tragedy, saying the deaths of the students would leave lasting scars on the school community and the nation at large.

“But I know the pain of losing your friends and those who died is going to stay with us for a long time and I want to urge us to be each other’s keeper in prayer and in comfort so that we can continue encouraging each other,” he added.

Also Read:Parent Breaks Down While Narrating How Utumishi Girls Students Tried to Save Themselves During Fire

Investigations Into Utumishi Cause of Fire Begin

Ogamba confirmed that investigations into the deadly blaze had already commenced, noting that authorities would establish the exact cause of the fire before any further action is taken.

“As investigations are commencing and are going on, you know very well this is an incident that has been caused by a fire. Once the investigations are complete and the cause of that fire is established, should there be any culpability from any quarter whether from the students or any other individual, of course the government will take the necessary legal action to ensure that does not happen again,” he stated.

Authorities are also working to identify all the victims, with forensic experts and emergency response teams deployed to assist in the process.

Also Read:16 Utumishi Girls Academy Students Confirmed Dead After Midnight School Fire

Family members gathered at the school and nearby hospitals awaiting information about their children.

The government has meanwhile directed that students be released from the school temporarily as officials work through the aftermath of the disaster and assess the safety of the institution.

“We will be of course releasing you today for a few days as we work through this crisis and we’ll be ensuring that by the time you are getting back everything has been put in place to ensure that you can continue with your studies,” Ogamba told students and parents.

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