Murkomen: Most of Utumishi Girls’ Academy students are children of police officers
By Aloys Michael, May 28, 2026Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has revealed that most students at Utumishi Girls’ Academy are children of officers serving in the National Police Service (NPS), as the country continues to mourn the tragic school fire that claimed at least 16 lives.
Speaking during a Thursday, May 28, 2026, press briefing at the school in Gilgil, Nakuru County, Murkomen described the incident as a devastating national tragedy that has deeply affected the police fraternity and the country at large.
“Most of the children who attend school here are children of our officers serving in the National Police Service. As a ministry and family, we stand with everyone,” Murkomen said.
The deadly fire, which broke out at the institution, also left dozens of students injured and traumatised, prompting swift government intervention and the indefinite closure of the school.
Moreover, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migosi Ogamba confirmed that Utumishi Girls’ Academy will remain closed indefinitely as investigations into the cause of the inferno continue.
Ogamba said the government had moved quickly to secure the institution and ensure the safety and welfare of all affected students.
“We will also be releasing learners with their parents who are here during the course of the day. The cause of the fire is yet to be known, with investigations ongoing,” Ogamba announced.
According to the Ministry of Education, at least 79 students were injured during the tragedy, with 71 already discharged from the hospital by Thursday afternoon.
Authorities have urged the public to remain calm and avoid speculation as investigators piece together what led to the deadly incident.
Emergence services and school closure
“Be patient so as to avoid speculation of the cause of this tragedy,” Murkomen appealed during the briefing.
The Interior CS assured Kenyans that a comprehensive and transparent investigation would be conducted, led by specialised investigative and forensic teams already deployed to the scene.
“This is a serious tragedy for our country, and the investigations into this tragedy will be thorough. The DCI is here, crime scene investigators are already on site, and officers from the government chemist are also present,” Murkomen stated.
“All processes will be undertaken, including DNA tests.”
The government has also activated emergency support systems for affected families, including counselling and psychosocial services for students and parents struggling to cope with the aftermath.
Murkomen said the Ministry of Interior was working closely with the Kenya Red Cross and the national disaster management team to ensure students continue receiving mental health support even after leaving school.
“Even as we release the parents whose students have not been injured but have been affected psychologically, the hotline number has been given, which is 119, basically for people to call for help,” he said.
“We are working with the Kenya Red Cross, which is part of the national disaster management team, so that even as the children are at home, we will make sure they can receive counselling services and psychosocial assistance wherever they may be.”
The government has encouraged parents to use the toll-free hotline to report any information regarding students who may have left the school in the company of relatives or guardians following the confusion caused by the fire.