When she sat her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) in 2023 at Mkwakwani Primary School in Kwale County, Zuhura Rama stood out as one of the last cohorts of the 8-4-4 system.
Her results were impressive and earned her a place at the prestigious Utumishi Academy in Gilgil, a national boarding school. For her family in Diani, it was a moment of pride and hope.
Zuhura dreamt of becoming a doctor, determined to serve her rural community and lift others through medicine.
At Utumishi Academy, teachers and classmates remember her as bright and disciplined. She often ranked among the top performers, especially in mathematics and Kiswahili, and was seen as one of the students with a bright academic future.
But that promise was shattered on May 28, 2026, when tragedy struck. A fire in a dormitory, allegedly set by fellow students, claimed the lives of 16 girls, among them Zuhura.
Her father rushed to the school after receiving the devastating news, only to later confront the painful reality at the mortuary, where he identified his daughter’s body.
For nearly two weeks, the family struggled to secure her release for burial in accordance with Islamic rites, which require prompt interment. However, authorities insisted on DNA identification, prolonging the process.
As the days dragged on, grief deepened and costs mounted. Mourners streamed into the family home in Kwale, forcing the family to shoulder growing expenses for food, accommodation, and funeral arrangements.
“We have used over Sh3 million so far in burial expenses and feeding mourners while waiting for our daughter’s body,” said the family spokesperson, Mr Ali Hamadi. “It has been very painful and expensive."
He said the incident had left the family emotionally devastated and raised concerns among parents about boarding school safety amid a wave of school unrest.
“How can learners burn to death in a school surrounded by security agencies? This is a big blow to parents. We are scared. I would rather take my child to a day school," he said.
Mr Hamadi described Zuhura as a disciplined, hardworking girl who balanced academics with religious devotion, spending her holidays in madrassa.
Her former classmates from both Diani and Utumishi Academy visited the family home during the burial on Sunday to offer condolences, joined by other grieving parents. A Grade 9 learner, Rashid Yusuf, said the loss had shaken students deeply.
“We were sad to hear about her death. That’s why we came to condole with the family. We are sorry,” he said.
Zuhura’s mathematics and Kiswahili tutor, Mr Omar Kombo, remembered her as a standout student.
“She was disciplined, respectful, obedient and prayerful. We had high hopes in her because she was bright. We have lost a star,” he said, adding that rising cases of arson attacks in schools had created fear and uncertainty among learners and teachers.
“We are confused. We don’t know what is happening with our children. It may be time for all stakeholders to engage. Students now fear exams, especially mocks. We must protect them,” he said.
Zuhura’s uncle, Mr Hasibu Higa, expressed anger and anguish over what he termed as a lack of accountability and communication from authorities.
“We are asking ourselves many questions, how could this happen? Where were the security agencies? This death has caused us immense pain. Waiting for the body was a torture,” he said.
Last week, government spokesman Isaac Mwaura announced that the State would send Sh200,000 to each bereaved family, including the family of the parent who tragically lost her life while going to pick her child from the school.
"It is important to state that since the unfortunate tragedy, the government has undertaken various interventions to support the affected families and students including," said Mr Mwaura.
Further, the government committed to meeting funeral-related expenses, including mortuary charges, coffins, transportation of the deceased and the requiem mass that will be held at Utumishi Girls Academy on a date to be communicated.
"The Government remains steadfast in its commitment to walk with the affected families throughout this difficult period and to provide all necessary support as they come to terms with this devastating loss," he said.
However, Zuhura's family said they never received the Sh200,000 or any other support.
“Even a simple message of condolence has not come from the state. We are struggling alone,” the family spokesman said.
Zuhura's story joins a growing list of concerns over safety in boarding schools, leaving behind grief, unanswered questions, and a dream cut short in its prime. Kwale politicians called for justice and the arrest of all suspects, claiming that some are still at large because they come from influential families.
“We are aware that some suspects are still at large because they come from wealthy and influential families. We just want justice; let all who were linked to this murder face the law,” said Mr Chimera.
Msambweni MP Feisal Bader called on parents to take up their rightful role in children’s upbringing, saying they have neglected their responsibility.
"Let us be parents; let us talk to our children. We have seen the CCTV footage; we saw what our children did. Let the 16 children who died get justice.
“The Ministry of Education should relook into the education policy. We have seen unrest in more than 50 schools so far and lost 16 children. This is sad. The State has failed. If learners who are our children are beating teachers, where are we going? The State should also take its responsibility,” said Msambweni Mr Bader.
Kwale Senator Issa Boy said Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, as well as the principal and matron of Utumishi Academy, should be held responsible. Zuhura was buried at the family cemetery at her home in Diani.
