Father recounts painful search for daughter killed in Utumishi Girls Academy fire
via Tuko8 min read
Dennis Nyakeri, father of Sheryl Ondari, a Grade 10 student who died in a fire at Utumishi Girls Academy, shared the painful experience of searching for his daughter's body. The fire, which claimed the lives of 16 students, has left families and communities grieving. Sheryl, described as an obedient, loving, and ambitious child, dreamed of becoming a pharmaceutical scientist. Her life was cut short in the blaze, which was reportedly started intentionally by five students. Nyakeri recounted his desperate search for Sheryl after news of the fire broke, rushing to the school and then to a hospital, only to find her name missing from lists of survivors and admitted patients. He eventually confronted officers and later identified his daughter's remains at the mortuary, noting that the bodies were burned beyond recognition. Preliminary reports suggest the fire was caused by peer influence, a change in examination dates, and fees for a cultural event. Nyakeri also mentioned that students had previously reported hostility from the principal towards older learners. The family is currently seeking emotional and financial support for Sheryl's burial in Narok and has criticized the government and school administration for their handling of the situation, urging for improved school safety measures and accountability.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Tuko.
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