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President William Ruto has expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of 16 students following a devastating fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, calling the incident a national tragedy.
In a statement released on Thursday, the President said the entire country stands in solidarity with the families, teachers, and students affected by the heartbreaking incident.
“Our hearts and prayers are with the families who have lost their beloved daughters in the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil,” Ruto said.
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He added that no words could adequately ease the pain of losing young lives full of hope, ambition, and potential.
The President noted that the government’s immediate priority is to support rescue operations, provide medical care to the injured, and assist affected families as investigations continue into the cause of the fire.
“Our immediate attention is focused on the rescue of those affected, the treatment of the injured, and support for their families, while investigations continue into the cause of the fire. As a nation, we mourn with the parents, guardians, teachers, and fellow students who are enduring this unimaginable tragedy,” he said.
Ruto also offered prayers for strength and comfort for grieving families, saying, “May God grant comfort and strength to the grieving families during this painful time. Poleni sana.”
The fire, which broke out in the early hours of Thursday, has left 16 students dead and more than 74 others injured, according to reports from emergency responders.
Kenya Red Cross confirmed that it was alerted to the incident at around 3:30am and immediately deployed teams to assist in rescue and response operations.
The organisation said its emergency personnel, including ambulance crews and psychosocial support teams, were working alongside other agencies at the scene.
Authorities said operations were still ongoing as investigations continue into the cause of the fire.
A guardian at the scene described the chaotic moments as students attempted to escape the burning dormitory, with some reportedly jumping from upper floors to safety.
She said families were still struggling to get clear information on casualties, with many parents anxiously searching for their children.
The guardian further urged the government to carry out swift investigations to establish what caused the tragedy, as grief and confusion continue to grip the affected families.
