Kalonzo’s aide fires back at Itumbi over Utumishi Girls fire response
By Mustafa Juma, May 29, 2026A fresh political row has erupted over the handling of the Utumishi Girls Academy fire tragedy, with an aide to Wiper Patriotic Front Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka sharply criticising Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy Coordination Denis Itumbi over comments linked to the government’s response to the incident.
The exchange comes in the wake of the devastating fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, which claimed the lives of 16 learners and left several others injured.
The tragedy has sparked national mourning and intensified scrutiny of school safety standards and government crisis communication.
Paloma Gatabaki questions timing of State events
In a statement issued on Friday, May 29, 2026, Kalonzo’s head of communications, Paloma Gatabaki, accused Itumbi of failing to demonstrate adequate sensitivity in the aftermath of the tragedy, questioning how national events proceeded despite reports of loss of life emerging in the early hours of the incident.
Gatabaki suggested that government communication priorities reflected insensitivity to grieving families, arguing that moments of national tragedy require compassion and restraint rather than continuation of scheduled state programmes.
“What Al assistant advises a Head of State to continue a National Prayer Breakfast as scheduled at 6:00AM, fully aware since 3:30AM that girls had just perished at Utumishi Academy in Gilgil?” the statement posed.
Gatabaki further argued that the government’s response should have prioritised victims and families over official engagements, stating that such decisions send the wrong message during moments of national grief.
Gatabaki further accused Itumbi of “deflection” and misrepresentation in public communication, insisting that leaders must take responsibility for how information and national events are managed during crises.
“Deflecting while families were receiving the worst news of their lives isn’t a good look, Denis. Some moments demand that a leader choose people over programme. Your dear formed Mr Ruto chose deafening silence over the cries of the people. Your time for misdirection is up!” the statement read in part.
The aide also suggested that leadership decisions at the time failed to reflect empathy for bereaved families, adding that national leadership must always “choose people over programme.”
Growing political and public pressure
The exchange adds a political dimension to an already sensitive national tragedy that has triggered widespread calls for accountability following revelations that the Utumishi Girls fire was an act of arson.
The Ministry of Education has confirmed that 16 learners died in the incident, while 79 others were injured. Seven students remain hospitalised as investigations continue.
Authorities have also disclosed that eight learners are being questioned as persons of interest, while the school’s Board of Management has been dissolved over safety lapses.
National Prayer Breakfast
Parliament has, however, dismissed reports alleging that national leaders ignored the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls during the National Prayer Breakfast, terming the claims misleading and inconsistent with what transpired at the event.
In a clarification issued on Friday, May 29, 2026, Parliament stated that President William Ruto acknowledged the tragedy during his address, conveyed condolences to the affected families, and joined the nation in mourning those affected by the incident.
“Claims in the media that national leaders ignored the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls during the National Prayer Breakfast are misleading and do not reflect what transpired at the event,” the statement read in part.
The statement further noted that the president invited the first lady, Rachel Ruto, to lead the congregation in prayers for the victims and all those impacted by the fire, underscoring the government’s solidarity with bereaved families and survivors.