As the Ministry of Education ordered the immediate closure of Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, a massive wave of grief has swept across Kenya’s entertainment industry, with prominent celebrities taking to social media to mourn the 16 students killed in the tragic midnight dormitory inferno.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced the school’s closure on Thursday, May 28, 2026, confirming that all surviving learners had been safely released to their parents and guardians after authorities successfully accounted for every student.
“Oh God, Have Mercy on Us”
Among the first to express heartbreak was entrepreneur and socialite Vera Sidika, who described herself as completely overwhelmed by the scale of the tragedy.
“I have cried so hard,” Vera shared with her millions of Instagram followers. “Oh God have mercy on us waaaaaaaaah. May the innocent souls rest in peace.”
Vera noted the heavy emotional toll the disaster has taken on the public psyche, calling the loss of life at the Nakuru County institutional facility incredibly difficult to comprehend.
Kenyan Creative Industry Demands Comfort and Answers
The tragic news has triggered a rare, unified outpouring of sorrow from the country’s top actors, musicians, and comedians, all demanding structural accountability for school safety.
- Kate Actress: The award-winning actress expressed deep devastation over the cut-short futures of the young girls. “My sincere condolences to the bereaved families of Utumishi Academy. Young lives were lost in today’s tragedy, and our hearts are truly broken,” she wrote.
- Comedian Njugush: The digital satirist pivoted from his usual comedic content to offer solemn solidarity, stating: “Condolences to the family and friends for the lost lives of Utumishi Girls’ Academy students and quick recovery to those injured.”
- Nameless and Wahu: Music industry veterans David Mathenge (Nameless) and Wahu Kagwi issued a joint statement echoing the national heartbreak. “Sincere condolences to the families and friends of the innocent girls who have lost their lives at Utumishi Girls. This is extremely heartbreaking. May our Heavenly Father be with them in this season.”
School Desolate as Forensics Begin
The school compound, usually bustling with academic activity, now sits silent and heavily guarded by law enforcement. Forensic teams and arson investigators have cordoned off the charred remains of the upper dormitory block as they piece together what caused the fatal blaze.
With 74 students still recovering from severe burn injuries in various Nakuru hospitals, the closure of the national school marks the beginning of what is expected to be a long, painful road toward psychological healing and legal accountability for the affected families.