By Mohammed Fareed
A heavy cloud of grief has engulfed Gilgil as a requiem mass is held today, June 12, 2026, for fifteen of the sixteen schoolgirls who died in a tragic arson attack at Utumishi Girls’ Academy.
The memorial service, held at Gilgil Stadium, has drawn grieving families, hundreds of residents, government officials, and religious leaders to honour the victims of one of the country’s most devastating recent school fire tragedies.
The incident occurred on the night of May 28, 2026, when a fire broke out in one of the school’s dormitories. The blaze burned for hours, leaving the victims fatally injured and their bodies severely burnt.
Of the sixteen victims, a 17-year-old Muslim student, Zuhura Rama, was earlier released and buried in Kwale County in accordance with Islamic rites, leaving fifteen students to be honoured in today’s collective memorial.
Meanwhile, nine students aged between 15 and 17 are being held at Nakuru Children’s Remand Home after a Naivasha court declined to grant them bond.
Investigators say the suspects admitted to planning and executing the arson, citing frustration with the school administration.
The students reportedly pointed to grievances including sudden changes to the examination timetable, compulsory fees for an upcoming cultural event, and peer influence from a neighbouring boys’ school that had recently staged a strike.