Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba has revealed that Utumishi Girls’ Academy had been approved to accommodate 650 students, but the school exceeded its capacity and admitted 715 learners in 2026.

Speaking on Sunday, May 31, 2026, during an education stakeholder engagement forum dubbed Elimu Mashinani held in Wajir ahead of Madaraka Day celebrations, Ogamba defended the Ministry of Education’s quality assurance processes while admitting that investigations would determine whether ministry officers ignored warning signs.

The revelation comes days after a tragic fire at the Gilgil-based school claimed the lives of 16 students and left dozens injured, sparking national outrage and renewed scrutiny over safety standards in boarding schools.

During the live discussion, the CS explained that ministry quality assurance officers had inspected the institution in 2025 and found the dormitories compliant with safety and infrastructure requirements at the time.

“On a regular basis, our quality assurance officers visit schools and ensure guidelines are followed,” Ogamba said.

However, when questioned about how the tragedy still occurred despite those inspections, the CS disclosed that the number of students housed in the school had exceeded approved limits.

“When they visited in 2025, the dorms met the specifications. The school was approved for 650 students; however, during 2026 admissions, they went overboard and admitted 715 students,” he said.

Ministry officers under probe

Ogamba said investigations are now focusing on whether ministry officials were aware of the excess admissions and failed to take corrective action.

“The investigation will determine whether ministry officers were aware of the excess number, and action will be taken against them if they were aware and did not take any action against it,” he stated.

His remarks come days after the Ministry of Education announced preliminary findings indicating that the school failed to comply with the School Safety Manual and Basic Education Regulations.

The ministry previously stated that congestion in the dormitory and a locked exit door contributed to the scale of the tragedy.

National concern over school safety

The Utumishi Girls’ fire has triggered widespread debate over overcrowding, safety compliance, and emergency preparedness in boarding schools across the country.

Earlier, the government dissolved the school’s Board of Management and initiated disciplinary action against the principal and teachers who allegedly ignored warnings about planned unrest before the fire.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations is also questioning several students as part of ongoing investigations after the ministry indicated that preliminary findings pointed to arson.

Ogamba’s latest revelations are likely to intensify pressure on the Ministry of Education over enforcement of school safety regulations, particularly in national and extra-county boarding schools where overcrowding has become increasingly common due to rising demand for admissions.

Education stakeholders, religious groups, and civil society organisations have since called for a nationwide audit of boarding school safety standards to prevent future tragedies.

The government has promised further updates as investigations continue.