Utumishi Girls Academy will reopen this week, more than a month after a devastating dormitory fire claimed the lives of 16 students, following an agreement reached between parents, the Ministry of Education and the school’s management on measures to facilitate the safe return of learners.

According to the reopening plan, Form Four students will report on Thursday, July 2, while students in the remaining classes will return on Monday, July 6, allowing the school to resume learning in phases. The phased reopening follows consultations between education officials and parents, many of whom had initially opposed the school’s reopening, arguing that sufficient safety guarantees had not been provided following one of Kenya’s deadliest school fire tragedies in recent years.

During the meeting, parents expressed concerns about the conditions under which students would return, questioning whether enough had been done to prevent a recurrence of the incident. They sought assurances that all identified safety gaps had been addressed and that those responsible for lapses leading to the tragedy would be held accountable.

Several parents also raised concerns about the emotional well-being of students returning to a school still recovering from the tragedy. They urged education authorities to provide adequate counselling and psychosocial support to learners and staff, noting that many students had witnessed traumatic events during the fire and would require continued mental health assistance as learning resumes.

Others questioned the adequacy of boarding facilities following the destruction caused by the fire, calling on the government to ensure that accommodation provided for returning students meets safety standards and does not expose learners to additional risks.

Parents further sought clarity on the findings of investigations into the fire and requested regular communication from school management and government officials regarding the implementation of recommended safety improvements.

In response, the Ministry of Education outlined a series of administrative and safety measures introduced ahead of the reopening. The school’s principal has been sent on compulsory leave, while the Board of Management has been dissolved after authorities found the institution had failed to fully comply with provisions of the School Safety Manual and the Basic Education Regulations.

Education officials have also confirmed that students will be accommodated in dormitories that were not affected by the fire. In addition, the National Police Service has constructed temporary accommodation to supplement the school’s boarding capacity as rehabilitation and long-term infrastructure improvements continue.

The ministry said the measures are intended to restore confidence among parents while ensuring learners return to an environment that meets required safety standards.

Utumishi Girls Academy was closed indefinitely after the May 28 dormitory fire at the school’s Gilgil campus killed 16 students and left dozens of others injured. The tragedy prompted widespread public concern over fire safety in boarding schools and renewed calls for stricter enforcement of safety regulations across learning institutions.

Investigations into the incident have progressed, with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions approving murder charges against several students following a review of evidence submitted by investigators. The criminal proceedings are expected to continue independently of the school’s reopening.

The fire also triggered inspections of boarding schools across the country, with education authorities directing institutions to review emergency preparedness, fire response systems and compliance with existing safety regulations.

For many parents, however, reopening the school marks only the beginning of a longer process of rebuilding trust. They have maintained that accountability, transparency and sustained investment in student safety must remain priorities long after classes resume.

Education officials have indicated that counselling services will continue to be available for affected students and staff as the institution gradually returns to normal operations. Authorities have also pledged continued oversight of the school’s administration and infrastructure to ensure compliance with national safety standards.

The reopening comes as schools across Kenya face renewed scrutiny over boarding school safety, with policymakers and education stakeholders calling for stronger enforcement of regulations designed to protect learners and prevent similar tragedies in the future.