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Families' final goodbyes to last of Utumishi Girls fire victims
Raymond Chepkong'a (right) and other pall bearers carrying the casket bearing the remains of his first born daughter Imani Boit, 17, for interment at their Barwessa home in Baringo West on June 16, 2026, one of the 16 girls who perished in the Utumishi Girls Academy dormitory fire.
One was a lawyer who never got to argue her first case and the other a veterinarian who never got to treat her first animal.
One dreamed of standing before a judge to defend clients while the other envisioned caring for animals and building a future in entrepreneurship.
Neither lived to fulfil those ambitions after a dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy claimed their lives.
On Tuesday, grief engulfed families in Baringo and Turkana as they buried two of the 16 students who died in the tragedy: 17-year-old Form Four student Imani Boit, who aspired to become a lawyer and Grade 10 student Fortune Mungoma, who dreamed of becoming a veterinarian.
In Barwessa village, Baringo West, mourners gathered to lay to rest Imani who was remembered as disciplined, ambitious and deeply faithful. More than 400 kilometres away in Towokayen village in Turkana West, family and friends said farewell to Fortune, a cheerful student whose dreams stretched far beyond the classroom.
As the two girls were lowered into their final resting places, the ceremonies became moments of collective reflections on futures cut short and the devastating human cost of one of Kenya’s worst school tragedies in recent years.
In Barwessa, Imani’s father Raymond Chepkong’a struggled to hold back tears as he paid tribute to his firstborn daughter.
“Today, my heart is heavy beyond words as I pay tribute to my beloved daughter. From the day she was born, she brought light, happiness and hope into our home,” he said.
He described a daughter who was focused, confident and determined to shape her own destiny.
“One of my fondest memories is the conversations we had about her future. I would tell her to become a nurse and she would smile and say, ‘Dad, I will be a lawyer.’ She defended her dream with such passion that I often felt I was already standing before a future advocate in court,” he said.
Imani was remembered at school as a bright student and natural leader. Her class teacher, Joseph Ogata, said she served as class prefect from Form One to Form Three before voluntarily stepping down in Form Four to focus on her studies.
“She was very bright and had the potential to become a leader capable of transforming society,” he said.
Her father added that she led with humility and kindness, noting that her schoolbooks were always neat and her approach to classmates was thoughtful and fair.
Her mother, Valentine Chepkong’a, described her daughter as both a child and a close confidant.
“You understood me in a way few people ever could. Though heaven has gained an angel, my heart has lost a treasure,” she said.
In Turkana, Fortune Mungoma was remembered as a lively ambitious girl whose dreams were shaped by curiosity and compassion for animals.
Casket bearing the remains of Fortune Aimaya who was among the 16 victims of Utumishi Girls Academy fire tragedy. Her burial took place at Towokayen village in Turkana West Sub County on June 16, 2026.
A former pupil of Echami Academy and St Peter’s Girls Junior School in Elburgon, Fortune joined Utumishi Girls Academy in 2026 as a Grade 10 student full of hope for the future.
Family members said her passion for veterinary medicine began after she interacted with dairy cows on her aunt’s farm.
“She had big dreams. She wanted to become a veterinarian and also learn the Bukusu language after school,” said her aunt, Beatrice Nafula.
Her cousins described her as energetic and talented with a love for poetry, music, dance, football and volleyball. They said she was also known for her kindness and willingness to help others.
According to the family, those qualities were evident even in her final moments.
“As a devoted Catholic, Fortune lived a life of kindness and service. During the fire, she showed courage and selflessness, choosing to help others despite the danger,” said her cousin Blessings Ikai.
One of the most emotional moments came during Fortune’s burial when her aunt Beatrice Nafula, spoke publicly about her journey from anger to forgiveness. She admitted that in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, she had wished harsh punishment on students suspected of involvement.
“I was crying in pain when I saw the incident on television. I wanted those responsible to face severe punishment so they could understand the pain we felt. But we have forgiven the girls and their parents. I ask God to forgive me for the words I spoke in anger,” she said.
Fortune’s father David Mungoma delivered a brief but emotional tribute as he sat beside his grieving wife, Pauline Losike.
“My beloved Fortune, no words can express the pain of losing you. I had dreams of watching you grow and build a beautiful future. Though those dreams were cut short, the love we shared will never end,” he said.
As mourning families laid their children to rest, leaders and education stakeholders renewed calls for thorough investigations into the May 28 dormitory fire and urgent reforms to improve safety in boarding schools.
Baringo County Executive Committee Member Reuben Ruto described the tragedy as a devastating loss of young talent and potential.
“It is heartbreaking to lose such ambitious girls. We demand justice for the 16 lives lost and a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the tragedy,” he said.
Former Tourism Fund chairman Joseph Cherutoi called for a national conversation on discipline and safety in schools, warning that student unrest was becoming increasingly dangerous.
In Turkana, residents urged government intervention to support bereaved families and strengthen school safety systems.
Educationist Susan Aletia called for more quality assurance officers to inspect schools regularly, while community leaders proposed CCTV installation in boarding schools and compensation for affected families.
They also urged authorities to ensure all school facilities meet safety standards before commissioning.
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