Ministry calls for privacy for learners after Utumishi Girls tragedy, warns against sharing minors’ identities

In a press statement issued Thursday, May 28, 2026, the ministry, through the State Department for Children Services, said the incident had resulted in loss of lives and injuries among learners.

The ministry said children officers and child protection personnel have been deployed to coordinate immediate interventions, including safeguarding affected learners, supporting family tracing and reunification, and ensuring emergency child protection services are provided.

It added that psychosocial support and trauma counselling services are being coordinated for survivors, bereaved families, teachers and first responders to support emotional recovery and mental wellbeing.

The ministry also said family support and information desks are being set up to assist parents and guardians and facilitate coordinated case management.

According to the statement, the State Department for Children Services will work with relevant government agencies, including the Ministry of Education, county authorities, emergency response teams, the Kenya Red Cross and other stakeholders on investigations and child safeguarding assessments.

The ministry reiterated the importance of enforcing school safety standards, strengthening emergency preparedness systems and enhancing child safeguarding mechanisms in learning institutions as envisioned under the Children Act, 2022.

It urged the public and the media to uphold the dignity and privacy of affected learners and families by avoiding the sharing of graphic images, identities of minors or unverified information relating to the incident.