Clerics call for swift probe, safety reforms after Utumishi Girls fire

The Utumishi Girls Academy dormitory that caught fire on May 28, 2026. [Julius Chepkwony, Standard]  

Church leaders have called for investigations and urgent reforms following the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, which left 16 students dead and several injured.

During a Sunday service, Church and Clergy Association of Kenya Chairman Hudson Ndeda called for accountability and comprehensive reforms in the education sector. He urged authorities to move swiftly in establishing the cause of the fire, warning that many boarding schools have become unsafe for learners.

“Most boarding schools are a death trap for students, and we urge the government to allocate resources and engage education experts to ensure that such incidents do not recur,” he said.

The tragedy, which occurred on Thursday, has reignited debate over school safety among faith-based organisations, education stakeholders and parents, many of whom are questioning whether boarding schools are adequately prepared to respond to emergencies.

Church leaders say the incident is part of a worrying pattern that exposes systemic weaknesses in school safety management.

Ndeda said the tragedy reflects deeper governance gaps in school safety. He said recurring fire incidents in learning institutions should no longer be treated as isolated cases but as a national emergency requiring structural reforms, investment in safety systems, evacuation training and infrastructure upgrades.

The Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya, Jackson Ole Sapit, expressed solidarity with grieving families and called for prayers for the injured students.

“We stand in solidarity with the families who have lost their beloved daughters. We lift in prayer those who have sustained burns and injuries, asking God to comfort and heal them,” he said.

Friends Church (Quakers) Nairobi Yearly Meeting Presiding Clerk Ben Simiyu urged the religious community to rally behind affected families through emotional and psychosocial support. He emphasised the need for structured counselling services for students.

“We pray for the quick healing and recovery of all students receiving treatment. We further extend our sympathy to the Utumishi Girls Academy community affected by this tragedy,” said Simiyu.

He added: “We appeal to our pastoral fraternity and members who are professionals in counselling and psychology to offer spiritual, emotional and psychosocial support to the affected families and students during this period of grief and recovery.”

Pentecostal Assemblies of God General Superintendent Kenneth Adiara described the fire as a national tragedy that has robbed families of young daughters with bright futures.

“We stand with the grieving families, students and teachers during this painful moment. We continue to pray for the injured, the affected families and all those involved in the rescue efforts,” he said.

Ndeda also used the occasion to raise broader national concerns, warning against rising ethnic political rhetoric ahead of the 2027 election, which he said could plunge the country into instability if left unchecked.

The cleric called on the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to take firm action against incitement.