Utumishi Girls’ Academy is set to reopen today, Thursday, July 2, 2026, following its indefinite closure after a deadly dormitory fire on May 28, 2026.

The school will resume in phases. Form Four students are expected to report today, while the remaining learners will return on Monday, July 6, 2026.

The reopening follows a consultative meeting held on Monday, June 29, 2026, between parents, school management, and Ministry of Education officials. The meeting addressed safety concerns raised after the tragedy that claimed the lives of 16 students and injured 79 others.

Rift Valley Regional Education Coordinator James Indimuli confirmed that the institution has put in place immediate safety measures, including reorganization of available facilities to create additional safe accommodation space. The school’s head teacher has also been transferred as part of administrative changes.

The fire, which occurred in the early hours of May 28 at the Meline Waithera dormitory, led to the immediate closure of the school by the Ministry of Education.

Education authorities say the phased reopening is intended to allow for a gradual return to normalcy while long-term plans for rebuilding and further safety improvements are implemented.

This development comes even as investigations into the cause of the fire continue to gain momentum. On Wednesday, July 1, 2026, eight minors linked to the incident appeared before Justice Diana Kavedza at Kibera High Court in Nairobi.

The eight students, facing 16 counts of murder each, pleaded not guilty to all charges. The prosecution opposed their release on bail, and the court is expected to rule on the matter later.

The school was indefinitely closed after the fire, which broke out in the early hours of May 28 at the Meline Waithera dormitory, killing 16 students and leaving 79 other students injured.

Investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations led to the arrest and charging of the eight minors.