The long road to rebuilding Utumishi Girls Academy has entered a new phase after Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat joined efforts to raise funds for the reconstruction of dormitories destroyed in a deadly fire.
Lagat was at the Nakuru County school on Saturday, August 29, 2026, where he led the fundraising drive aimed at helping the institution restore facilities lost in the May 28 tragedy.
“The Deputy Inspector General, Kenya Police Service, Mr. Eliud Lagat, has arrived at Utumishi Girls Academy for a fundraising drive to support the rebuilding of the school following the fire tragedy,” KPS said.
The visit came as the academy continued with recovery efforts following the fire, which left the school with damaged facilities and a grieving community.
The Kenya Red Cross said the incident affected 132 students, some of whom were evacuated and taken to different hospitals for treatment.
“Update: So far, 132 students have been affected following the fire incident at Utumishi Girls Academy in Nakuru County, with several evacuated and receiving treatment in various hospitals,” Kenya Red Cross said in an update after the fire.
Utumishi Girls Academy on August 29, 2026.
PHOTO/KPS
Beyond medical assistance, the humanitarian organisation said it offered psychosocial support and tracing services to students and families dealing with the effects of the tragedy.
The fire broke out in the early hours of May 28 as students were asleep. Authorities said it began on the first floor of one of the dormitories, which was later completely destroyed.
Emergency teams battled the blaze and managed to bring it under control at about 3 am, according to the Ministry of Education.
“The response teams managed to put out the fire by about 03:00, but by then the damage had already been done,” Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogambo said.
The incident resulted in the deaths of 16 students, leaving families and the wider school community mourning the loss.
In the aftermath, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen appealed for support for the bereaved families as investigations into the incident continued.
“It’s a very anxious moment and even as we account for the 16 so far identified as having passed on, I want to ask the people of Kenya that together we stand with the families… in prayer, in support,” Murkomen said.
The latest fundraising effort is expected to contribute to the reconstruction of the destroyed dormitories and help the academy rebuild as it works towards restoring normal operations after the tragedy.