Utumishi Girls High School in Gilgil will today hold a special prayer service as the institution continues its recovery following a dormitory fire that claimed the lives of 16 students.
The prayers will bring together students, teachers, and other members of the school community in a service offering spiritual support and thanksgiving, and praying for the 2026 Form Four candidates.
Principal Rufina Nkonge said the prayer day comes at an important time for the school, which reopened in phases on July 2 after weeks of closure following the May 28 fire.
“Today is a special day. We have a prayer day for the school since reopening, and also for the candidate class 2026,” Nkonge said.
She said the school had gradually settled back into learning after receiving psychosocial support to help students deal with the trauma caused by the tragedy.
“Since the tragedy that struck our school occurred, we have since reopened, and we have settled down with the learning. We have gotten a lot of psychosocial support for the girls. They were traumatised, but we have settled down,” she said.
Nkonge said the return of learners had progressed well, with about 92 per cent of the girls reporting back to school.
“The classes are on, and 92 per cent of the girls came back to school. And we are grateful to God,” she said.
She also thanked parents, the school's sponsor and its patron, DIG Eliud Lagat, for supporting the institution during its recovery.
Lagat is among the guests during the event.
“We are grateful to the parents, and more so to our sponsor, and especially our patron Director Eliud Lagat, who has been very supportive,” Nkonge said.
The school reopened in phases, with Form Four students among the first to return.
Their return was preceded by mandatory trauma counselling and enhanced security checks as the institution sought to create a safe environment for learners.
On July 1, the High Court directed that eight students facing murder charges over the dormitory fire incident be referred to as “subject minors” because of their age.
Justice Diana Kavedza issued the directive during proceedings at the Kibera High Court where the eight students took plea on 16 counts of murder linked to the deaths of 16 fellow students.
All the subject minors denied the charges.
While addressing the court, Justice Kavedza emphasised that the language used throughout the proceedings must reflect legal safeguards applicable to children in conflict with the law.
“Nobody should call them accused persons. We do not have an accused person. These are children; we shall refer to them and address them as minor subjects,” the judge directed.
The court further directed that the identities of the eight students remain protected throughout the proceedings.
The judge also directed that pre-bail reports be prepared and filed before the next hearing date on September 22, 2026.
