NPS JOINS HER EXCELLENCY THE FIRST LADY AT A REQUIEM MASS IN GILGIL
The National Police Service, led by Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, Mr. Eliud Lagat — representing the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Douglas Kanja — joined Her Excellency Mrs. Rachael Ruto, the First Lady of the Republic of Kenya, together with national and county leaders, family members, friends, and the Utumishi Girls Academy fraternity at a requiem mass held at Gilgil Stadium in Nakuru County on 12th June 2026. The service honoured the lives of the 16 students who tragically lost their lives.
In a message delivered by the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Hon. Julius Migos Ogamba, on behalf of His Excellency the President, the Government conveyed its deepest condolences to the families and the Utumishi Girls Academy fraternity. It paid tribute to the young lives lost and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all schools remain safe environments for every child.
Addressing the congregation, Her Excellency the First Lady encouraged the bereaved families to find comfort in faith and in the support of the nation. She emphasised the collective responsibility of all Kenyans to protect, nurture, and safeguard every child entrusted to their care.
Speaking during the service, DIG Lagat conveyed condolences on behalf of the National Police Service. He noted that the country had lost young lives full of promise, talent, and hope, and called upon the affected families and the wider community to remain united in grief and remembrance, drawing strength from one another.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education reiterated the Government’s commitment to tackling indiscipline, violence, and other emerging challenges in learning institutions through a multi-sectoral approach involving parents, educators, communities, and relevant stakeholders.
As a Service, we honour the memory of the departed students and reaffirm our commitment to supporting efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of all children. We owe them more than our tears; we owe them vigilance, responsibility, compassion, and action so that schools remain places of safety, growth, and hope.
Other senior officers present included the Director of Planning, Kenya Police Service, Mr. Peter Ndung’u, SAIG; the KPS Director of Community Policing, Ms. Judy Lamet, SAIG; the APS Director of Security Operations, Mr. Jackson Kangani, SAIG; the Commandant, Anti-Stock Theft Unit, Mr. Joseph Limo, SAIG; the KPS Director of Operations, Mr. Phillip Opiyo, AIG; the KPS Director of the National Disaster Management Unit, Dr. Duncan Ochieng’, AIG; the KPS Director of Reforms, Mr. William Yiampoi, AIG; the KPS Director of Legal Services, Mr. Titi Ayiera, AIG; and Dr. Fredrick Ochieng’, AIG, among others.