The government has now shifted focus from just investigations into the deadly Utumishi Girls Academy fire to the emotional and psychological toll left behind by the tragedy, especially among survivors, parents and first responders.
Gender Cabinet Secretary Hannah Cheptumo in a statement on Thursday, revealed that the State Department for Children Services has already activated emergency child protection mechanisms following the Gilgil dormitory fire that killed 16 students and left dozens injured.
Beyond rescue operations and treatment of the injured, the ministry disclosed that children officers and child protection personnel have been deployed to support affected learners and families, including tracing, reunification and counselling services.
“Psychosocial support and trauma counselling services are being coordinated for survivors, bereaved families, teachers and first responders to support emotional recovery and mental wellbeing,” the statement read.
The ministry also announced the establishment of family support and information desks to assist parents searching for information about their children amid the confusion and grief following the tragedy.
In what appears to be a direct response to disturbing images and unverified reports circulating online, Cheptumo also appealed to the public and media to stop sharing graphic photos and identities of affected minors.
“We urge the public and media to uphold the dignity, privacy, and protection of affected children and families by avoiding the sharing of graphic images, identities of minors, or unverified information relating to the incident,” the CS stated.
The statement further revealed that the government, through the Ministry of Education, county authorities, Kenya Red Cross and emergency teams, will carry out child safeguarding assessments and review compliance with school safety standards to prevent another tragedy.
The latest communication now shifts national attention to the often overlooked aftermath of school disasters, where survivors and families are left battling trauma long after rescue operations end.
The Utumishi Girls Academy fire is already shaping up to become one of the country’s deadliest school tragedies in recent years, reigniting debate over dormitory safety, emergency preparedness and enforcement of child protection laws in schools.
