Utumishi Girls to reopen in phases after deadly dormitory fire

The meeting, held on Monday at the school in Nakuru County, focused on immediate and long-term measures to decongest dormitories, improve safety standards, and ensure adequate water supply for learners.

Officials said the reopening plan will see Form Four students return first on Thursday, while the rest of the students are expected to resume classes next week Monday.

The discussions came one month after the fire incident that destroyed one of the school’s largest dormitories, leaving the institution grappling with accommodation challenges.

During the meeting, workers were seen erecting temporary structures within the school compound as part of emergency measures.

However, a section of parents rejected the plan to house students in makeshift tents, insisting on more permanent solutions.

Some parents argued that undamaged dormitories should be fully utilized instead of relying on temporary shelters, while others issued a one-month ultimatum to the government to begin construction of a new dormitory.

“The dorms that were not affected by the fire should be used for our girls. We have also seen tents being put up, but we are not in agreement with that arrangement,” said one parent.

Another parent expressed frustration over what they termed slow response in addressing infrastructure needs at the institution, calling for urgent investment in permanent facilities to prevent a repeat of the tragedy.

“We should be given until August, beyond that we will have to decide. There is no need to see the government building expensive projects elsewhere while children have died here and we are still without proper dorms,” she said.

Rift Valley Regional Education Director James Indimuli said the Ministry of Education has appointed a new principal as part of administrative changes aimed at restoring stability at the school.

“There should not be anything straining the relationship between teachers, students, and parents. The TSC posts professionally qualified people. There is a new principal coming in from a similar school, and we do not foresee disruption,” he said.

He added that the transition from the outgoing principal is expected to be smooth, dismissing concerns of internal tension.

Authorities say the phased reopening is part of broader efforts to restore normalcy at the institution while long-term rebuilding plans for the destroyed dormitory are being developed.