President William Ruto has expressed deep sorrow following a tragic fire incident at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, where students lost their lives after a dormitory blaze.

The Head of State described the incident as a national tragedy that has shaken the country and left families, teachers, and the wider school community in mourning.

In his statement, he extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, noting that no words could adequately comfort parents who have lost their children in such painful circumstances.

Government response efforts have been prioritised, with emergency teams actively engaged in rescue operations, treatment of the injured, and providing immediate support to affected families.

Security and education officials have been deployed to the institution to help coordinate rescue work and ensure that affected students receive psychosocial support in the aftermath of the disaster.President Ruto also confirmed that investigations have been launched to determine the cause of the fire that engulfed the dormitory.Authorities are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure accountability where necessary.

The tragedy has sparked widespread concern across the country, with renewed calls for stronger safety standards and enforcement measures in boarding schools to prevent similar incidents in the future.

As rescue and recovery operations continue, the government has pledged to keep the public updated while supporting those affected during this difficult period.