NThe Kenyan government has announced a compensation package for families affected by the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls Academy, confirming that each bereaved household will receive Sh200,000 alongside full medical coverage for the injured.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said the State will extend financial support to all 16 families who lost students in the dormitory fire, as well as the family of a parent who died in a separate road accident while rushing to the school.
He added that the government will also cover all medical expenses for more than 79 students who were hospitalised following the incident, including those referred to Kenyatta National Hospital for specialised treatment.
According to the government, the compensation and medical support form part of ongoing relief efforts as authorities continue to engage with affected families and the school community.
The fire, which occurred on May 28 in Gilgil, Nakuru County, claimed the lives of 16 students after a blaze engulfed a dormitory in the early hours of the morning.
Officials confirmed that identification of all victims has now been completed through DNA testing, paving the way for burial arrangements. However, only one body has so far been released to the family, with the remaining 15 still awaiting clearance.
The process has been complicated by the severity of the burns, making visual identification impossible in most cases.
While the government has proposed a joint requiem service scheduled for June 17, some families have expressed concerns, arguing that the arrangement may delay burials and prolong their grief.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing as authorities intensify efforts to establish what led to the deadly incident that has shocked the country.
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