All students who were hospitalised following the deadly dormitory fire at Utumishi Academy in Gilgil have been discharged, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has said, nearly two weeks after a tragedy that left 16 girls dead and dozens injured.
The fire, which broke out on May 28, shocked the nation and renewed concerns about safety and discipline in Kenyan schools. Seventy-nine students sustained injuries and were treated at various hospitals, including Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi.
Speaking at Jogoo House today Wednesday, Ogamba said the last of the injured learners had returned home.
“Whatever grievances that our learners may have, there can never be justification for causing death and destroying property,” he said.
Investigators believe the blaze was deliberately started. According to the Education Ministry, nine students remain in police custody after preliminary investigations linked them to the fire. Authorities say CCTV footage captured individuals allegedly setting fire to the upper floor of the dormitory, known as the Meline Waithera Block.
The Cabinet Secretary described the incident as part of a broader and troubling pattern of unrest in schools across the country.
Since the Utumishi Academy tragedy, 204 boarding secondary schools have been closed indefinitely following disturbances by students. In several cases, dormitories and other school facilities were damaged or destroyed in fires.
The wave of unrest has forced education officials and school administrators to confront growing concerns about discipline, student welfare and conflict management within learning institutions.
Even so, Ogamba said signs of recovery were emerging. By Wednesday, 59 of the affected schools had resumed classes, while preparations were underway for others to reopen.
He cautioned students against resorting to violence, warning that those found responsible for criminal acts would face legal consequences.
“Unlawful acts and violence should never be the preferred course of action,” he said.
The ministry’s preliminary assessment found that the vast majority of schools have remained unaffected. According to Ogamba, about 98 per cent of senior schools continue to operate normally despite the recent disruptions.
Most incidents, he noted, have been concentrated in boarding institutions, while day schools have largely continued with their academic programmes uninterrupted.
As pressure mounts to address the growing problem, the government has announced the formation of a multi-stakeholder team to examine the causes of student unrest and recommend solutions.
Ogamba also appealed to parents to play a more active role in their children’s lives, particularly during school holidays and breaks.
“It’s our duty to nurture our children in the values and virtues that grow them into law-abiding and responsible citizens,” he said.
The Utumishi Academy fire remains one of the deadliest school tragedies in recent years. As investigations continue, education officials face the difficult task of restoring confidence in school safety while tackling the deeper issues fuelling unrest among students.
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