President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto praying during the Annual National Prayer Breakfast on May 28, 2026/ PCSThe Annual National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday took a sombre turn after First Lady Rachel Ruto led prayers for victims of the Utumishi Girls Academy fire tragedy that has left at least 16 students dead and several others injured.
President William Ruto called on the First Lady to lead the congregation in prayer, saying the country needed spiritual reflection and unity following the tragedy.
“I want to ask my wife here, First Lady, to pray for one of our girls' schools this morning,” Ruto said.
The fire, which broke out earlier in the day at Utumishi Girls Academy in Nakuru county, prompted a national emergency response as rescue teams, the Kenya Red Cross, and education officials moved in to support affected students and families.
Parents were also urged to use hotline 1199 to trace missing learners as efforts to establish the full toll continued.
The First Lady then led the prayer, asking for comfort for bereaved families, healing for the injured and strength for responders dealing with the emergency.
She prayed for families who had lost children in the fire, describing the situation as painful and difficult for the nation.
“Father, in the name of Jesus, we want to thank you this morning for your goodness,” she prayed.
Rachel Ruto asked for divine comfort for parents and guardians grappling with loss and uncertainty, saying the tragedy had shaken the country.
“We commit this situation before you, Jehovah God. This is a difficult situation. We have lost our daughters,” she said.
She also prayed for those injured in hospital, asking for healing and strength for medical workers attending to them.
“There are those who have been injured and are in hospitals. We pray that you touch them and that we do not lose more lives,” she said.
The First Lady further prayed for doctors, nurses and emergency responders handling the victims, asking for wisdom and capacity to manage the situation.
“I pray for the doctors and nurses that are taking care of them, that you give them knowledge,” she said.
She extended her prayers to parents, saying the nation stood in solidarity with them during the tragedy.
“We send the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ to the parents and families. Even as they go through this situation, may you be with them,” she said.
Rachel Ruto also prayed for officials from the Ministry of Education who had moved to the school to coordinate response efforts, calling for guidance as they handled the crisis.
“We pray for the Ministry of Education and all officers that you will give them knowledge on how to handle this situation,” she said.
President Ruto, in his remarks, said the government stood with affected families and assured them of continued support as investigations into the fire continued.
The tragedy drew widespread national concern, with leaders across the political divide sending condolences to families affected.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta described the incident as heartbreaking and urged Kenyans to stand together in support of the victims.
Parents were also urged to use emergency hotline 1199 to help trace missing learners as authorities worked to confirm casualties and identify those affected.
