Mercy Precious: Twin sister of Utumishi Girls fire victim emotionally speaks after burial

• Joy Wanjiku was overwhelmed by grief after losing her sister, Mercy Precious, in the Utumishi Girls Academy fire tragedy.
• The young woman criticised the government for not paying enough attention to the safety of boarding schools, which she said had contributed to the deaths of many students over the years.
• She also shared what she believes should be done to offenders who burn schools, destroy property, and cause the deaths of fellow students.

Several victims of the Utumishi Girls Academy fire tragedy were laid to rest on Saturday, June 13, during different burial ceremonies.

Among them was Mercy Precious, who was buried in an emotional ceremony attended by family and friends as they bid their final farewell to the student.

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It was a sorrowful moment for the family as they struggled to come to terms with the loss of their loved one, whose life was cut short abruptly.

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The deceased’s twin sister spoke emotionally after the burial, expressing her pain and disappointment with the government.

“So today I come here with three things in my hand. Number one is the School Safety Manual, which was written from the ashes of the Kyanguli incident, where 67 boys were burnt alive. That tragedy led to its creation. Number two is the bill that was passed about a week ago, which allocated KSh 5.3 billion to trips, yet our schools are not adequately equipped. Number three is the list of names: Kyanguli, where 67 boys died; Moi Girls Nairobi, where 10 girls died; Hillside Endarasha, where 21 died; and now Utumishi Girls. The cycle continues,” Joy Wanjiku said.

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Wanjiku said it was ironic that the country could afford to fuel jets but could not ensure schools had proper emergency exits.

She criticised the allocation of millions of shillings for short-term expenditures while schools lacked safe escape routes that could prevent student deaths during emergencies.

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“In 2024, an audit was conducted and found that 348 schools were not complying with the School Safety Manual, yet nothing was done. Today, I am asking the government to do its job. How can we stop these fires in our schools? First, we can enforce the School Safety Manual and treat it like a constitution. Those responsible for taking matters to Parliament should ensure that what was written in 2008 is enforced.

Violating the manual should be treated as a criminal offence. School principals who fail to comply with the School Safety Manual should face a minimum jail term of 10 years. Any officer who allows an unsafe or illegal school to operate should face at least five years in prison. No bail and no bond,” she said.

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Wanjiku also argued that students found responsible for such crimes should not be granted probation or bail.

She noted that suspects linked to the Moi Girls High School fire were sentenced to five years in prison.

“Schools should regularly conduct fire drills to prevent such tragedies. Precious was a captain at our school. She taught us about leadership, not just leadership, but true leadership. Precious taught us that true leaders go last, not first.I have a question for our leaders: What kind of captains are they? Lastly, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna suggested many of these measures long ago, but Parliament said they were too expensive.

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So I have a question for the government: How many children will we bury before ‘too expensive’ becomes too evil to say? How many parents will have to endure this pain before ‘too expensive’ becomes too evil? How many students will have to suffer trauma and loss before ‘too expensive’ becomes evil? Show us that there is governance in this country. Show us that there is justice in this country. It is painful when students burn down a school with no remorse. Justice for them,” she concluded.

Utumishi Girls fire victim buried in Kwale

In another story, Zuhura Rama, one of the 16 learners who died in the Utumishi Girls Academy dormitory fire, was laid to rest in Ukunda, Kwale county.

Family, friends, and community members gathered in her village for an emotional funeral ceremony to bid farewell to the 16-year-old.

Hamadi Mwapishi, the family spokesperson, revealed that Zuhura did not die from burns and explained the exact cause of her death.

Source: NGBREAKINGNEWS