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Ministry Urges Protection of Minors’ Identities After Utumishi Girls Academy Fire Tragedy

This is in line with the Children Act, 2022, which provides for the safeguarding of the rights, welfare, and best interests of children.

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RELATED: At Least 16 Students Killed, Several injured in Utumishi Girls Academy Dormitory Fire

In a statement issued on Thursday, May 28, 2026, the Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services has expressed condolences to the families of the affected students, guardians, the school community, and all those impacted by the tragedy. It also wished a swift recovery to learners who are currently receiving medical treatment following the incident.

According to the statement, the State Department for Children Services has activated child protection response mechanisms in line with the Children Act, 2022, which provides for the safeguarding of the rights, welfare, and best interests of children.

The department has deployed Children Officers and child protection personnel to the school and surrounding areas to coordinate immediate interventions. These include safeguarding affected learners, supporting family tracing and reunification processes, and ensuring that emergency child protection services are provided.

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The Ministry further noted that psychosocial support and trauma counselling services are being coordinated for survivors, bereaved families, teachers, and first responders. Family support and information desks are also being set up to assist parents and guardians as authorities work to streamline communication and case management for those affected.

In addition, the State Department is working closely with relevant government agencies, including the Ministry of Education, county authorities, emergency response teams, the Kenya Red Cross, and other stakeholders. This collaboration is aimed at supporting ongoing investigations and child safeguarding assessments to establish compliance with safety standards and recommend corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Ministry reiterated the need for strict enforcement of school safety standards, stronger emergency preparedness systems, and enhanced child protection mechanisms across all learning institutions in the country, as outlined under the Children Act, 2022.

It also urged members of the public and media practitioners to respect the dignity and privacy of affected children and families by refraining from sharing graphic content, identities of minors, or unverified information related to the incident.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to the protection, recovery, and welfare of all affected learners and families, including support for continuity of education and long-term recovery efforts.

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Further updates on the incident are expected to be communicated through official government channels.

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