The silence hanging over the hills of Gilgil was broken only by the sound of sirens and grieving families gathering outside the gates of Utumishi Girls Academy.
Security officers maintained a tight cordon around the school compound as investigators combed through the charred remains of a dormitory destroyed in one of the deadliest school fires in recent years.
Parents, many arriving from different parts of the country, waited anxiously for updates from authorities while survivors received counselling and medical attention.
The tragedy has plunged the nation into mourning, reigniting concerns about student safety standards in boarding schools across Kenya.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba on Thursday announced that Utumishi Girls Academy will remain closed indefinitely following the fire tragedy that killed 16 students.
He said the closure would allow investigators and forensic experts adequate time to establish the cause of the inferno and assess the extent of the damage.
Speaking after touring the school alongside senior government officials, Ogamba said the government was determined to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation before learning activities can resume.
“We cannot reopen the institution until all investigations are completed and we are satisfied that the environment is safe for learners,” he said.
The CS noted that grief counsellors and trauma experts had already been deployed to support affected students, teachers and families.
He added that arrangements were underway to assist parents with burial plans and other emergency needs arising from the disaster.
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Authorities said several students who sustained injuries during the incident are still receiving treatment in hospitals around Nakuru County, with some reported to be in critical condition.
Rescue teams worked through the night after the fire broke out in one of the school dormitories, trapping dozens of learners inside.
Interior ministry officials and detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations have launched parallel investigations into the incident.
Preliminary reports indicate investigators are examining possible electrical faults, dormitory congestion and emergency response preparedness at the institution.
The tragedy has triggered a fresh national debate on safety compliance in boarding schools, with education stakeholders demanding stricter enforcement of fire prevention regulations.
Questions have also emerged over whether schools are conducting regular fire drills and maintaining functional emergency exits.
Leaders from across the political divide have continued to send messages of condolence to the affected families, while religious organisations and humanitarian groups have mobilised support for survivors.
President William Ruto described the incident as heartbreaking and directed all relevant government agencies to expedite investigations and provide full support to victims’ families.
As investigators continue piecing together what happened during the deadly night, the future of the institution remains uncertain, with authorities insisting that accountability and student safety must come before the reopening of the school.
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