
A government official, identified anonymously as Shamira, lost her 18-year-old daughter, Favour, in the Utumishi Girls Academy fire that claimed 16 lives and injured 79 on May 28. Shamira recounted that her daughter, a Form Four student, had expressed concerns about brewing tensions and unequal treatment at the school weeks before the tragedy. Favour, who dreamed of becoming a doctor, told her mother that the principal favored Grade 10 students over older girls. Concerned by these sentiments, Shamira wrote a letter to a board of management member, urging the school to address student grievances and warning against ignoring certain groups, which could breed resentment. She now regrets not following up on her concerns. Shamira advises schools to take all student warnings seriously, use suggestion boxes for grievances, and avoid locking out neighbors during emergencies, suggesting that some lives might have been saved at Utumishi Girls if these measures were in place. The family is currently awaiting DNA results to confirm Favour's remains.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Tuko.

A group of Kakamega politicians, led by Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, affirmed their support for President William Ruto's 2027 reelection bid. Speaking at a rally in Shinyalu constituency, they accused young politicians from the region of attempting to fragment the Luhya vote. Oparanya stated that he would not allow the division of Western votes and criticized some young leaders for engaging in abusive politics. He also dismissed pressure to leave the Orange Democratic Movement ODM, asserting his long-standing membership. Additionally, Oparanya addressed former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, downplaying the significance of a recent by-election win and predicting Gachagua's defeat in 2027. Khwisero MP Christopher Aseka and other leaders from Kakamega county also accused former President Uhuru Kenyatta of funding young politicians in the region to oppose the current government. They emphasized the Luhya community's unity and support for the Kenya Kwanza administration, urging the president to focus on development projects in the Western region.

Dennis Itumbi, the head of Creative Economy and Special Projects in the Office of the President, reported evacuating 20 United Democratic Alliance UDA Party mobilisers from Rurii, Ol Kalou. He stated that the mobilisers reported threats and harassment, leading them to seek safety at a police station and later in hotel accommodation arranged by Itumbi. Itumbi expressed concern over what he termed a "troubling new brand of politics" in Mt Kenya, emphasizing that democracy relies on persuasion, not intimidation. He urged swift police action against those instigating violence and threats, and called for political actors to embrace opponents after election outcomes. These remarks follow heightened political tensions in Ol Kalou, which have included post-by-election violence and two fatalities.

Former Trade Cabinet secretary Moses Kuria has appealed to communities outside Kikuyu land for acceptance after former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua declared him an outcast from the Kikuyu community. Gachagua, leading the Democracy for Citizens Party DCP, accused Kuria of fueling unrest in Mt. Kenya and inciting violence, particularly following the chaotic Ol Kalou by-election. Gachagua stated that Kuria has caused pain and suffering, and has made "goonism a culture" in the region, advising President William Ruto on how to "persecute the mountain." Kuria's plea highlighted that he can no longer attend church services, weddings, funerals, traditional ceremonies, or business meetings within the Kikuyu community. This development underscores deepening political rifts in Mt. Kenya, with leaders allied to Gachagua accusing UDA lawmakers of planning unrest during the by-election.