Utumishi Girls Academy Principal Joycelene Muraguri has been sent on compulsory leave as investigations into the dormitory fire that claimed the lives of 16 students continue.
Nakuru County Director of Education Victoria Mulili confirmed the development, saying the school will reopen on Thursday under the leadership of Rufina Nkonge, who will serve as the acting principal.
The decision follows weeks of uncertainty after the school was closed indefinitely in May to allow investigations into the tragedy that left 16 students dead and scores of others injured.
Parents had initially opposed the reopening, demanding assurances that their daughters would be returning to a safe learning environment.
However, after a lengthy meeting with Ministry of Education officials, they agreed to allow learning to resume following a raft of changes at the school.
Among the changes announced is the appointment of a new officer to take charge of the institution as investigations continue into the cause of the fire.
Learners will also return in phases, with Form Four students reporting first before the rest of the classes resume over the following days.
To ease congestion, students will be accommodated in dormitories that were not affected by the fire, while temporary structures put up by the National Police Service will provide additional accommodation as construction of new facilities begins.
The latest development comes weeks after Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba dissolved the school’s Board of Management over alleged safety lapses and directed disciplinary action against the principal and other members of staff as the government moved to establish what led to the deadly blaze.
Preliminary findings pointed to possible violations of the School Safety Manual, although investigations are still ongoing.
The reopening now marks the beginning of a new chapter for the school, even as families affected by the tragedy continue to wait for answers from investigators.
