President William Ruto has assured Kenyans that the government will take all necessary measures to enhance safety in schools following a series of fire incidents that have affected learning institutions across the country.

In a message delivered on his behalf by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba during a requiem mass for the 16 Utumishi Girls Academy students who lost their lives in a dormitory fire, the President pledged that no effort would be spared in preventing similar tragedies in the future.

Ruto said the government remains committed to ensuring that schools are safe environments where learners can pursue their education without fear.

“To every Kenyan parent who sends a child to school in trust, I make this promise, we will not rest until our schools are places of safety, and we will take every measure so that no family ever again bears this sorrow,” the President said.

The Head of State noted that the nation was united in grief following the deaths of the 16 students, describing them as bright young girls whose dreams and aspirations were tragically cut short.

“These were girls full of promise, bright and ambitious, dreaming of the women they would become and the country they would help build.

They were not only their parents’ daughters, but also daughters of Kenya,” he said.
Ruto expressed his condolences to the bereaved families, acknowledging the immense pain caused by the loss of the students.

“As a parent myself, I know there is no grief deeper than that of a mother or father who must bury a child. We mourn with you as one family,” he added.

The President emphasized that the nation had gathered not only to mourn the victims but also to celebrate their lives, friendships, and the futures they had hoped to achieve.

He further commended teachers, first responders, healthcare workers, and security personnel for their efforts in responding to the tragedy and supporting affected families during the difficult period.

The requiem mass drew hundreds of mourners, including grieving families, students, teachers, religious leaders, and senior government officials.

First Lady Rachel Ruto was among those who attended the service, leading the stadium in a solemn tribute as the country prepared to bid farewell to the 16 learners.

The students died after a dormitory fire broke out at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil on May 28, sparking renewed concerns and active investigations over safety standards in schools across the country.

The tragedy has reignited calls from education stakeholders and emergency response experts for stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations, regular inspections of school facilities, and improved emergency preparedness in learning institutions.

As the nation continues to mourn, President Ruto urged Kenyans to remember the young girls not for the manner in which they died, but for the lives they lived and the promise they carried.

“Their lives, though cut short, will never be forgotten. May their souls rest in eternal peace,” he said.

School founder demands radical overhaul of boarding system

As the nation looks for answers, the institution’s founder, Edward Mbugua, used the solemn platform to make a passionate, direct plea to state officials for a radical rethink of Kenya’s entire education infrastructure.
Calling for an immediate national dialogue on the future of boarding schools, Mbugua questioned whether the country’s heavy reliance on the boarding model remains sustainable or safe.

“We should sit down in dialogue and find the way forward,” Mbugua urged. “We should have good schools within our areas. If there were good schools in that area, there would be no need of taking your child from the farthest end. Why should a child travel from Migori to study elsewhere?”

Mbugua linked the growing strain on school infrastructure to the government’s strict implementation of its 100 percent transition policy, arguing that student numbers have drastically outpaced facility capacities without giving institutions adequate room to prepare.

“Nobody challenged the government to give them time so that we could build enough classrooms and enough dormitories,” Mbugua noted.
Looking to the future, he boldly suggested that Kenya shift its national investments away from boarding facilities and into high quality, local day schools instead.

“Those dormitories can be converted to workshops for training,” he concluded.