The charred remains of dormitories at Utumishi Girls Academy hold more than just ash and burnt memories; they've become the latest battleground for Kenya's relentless political class. Following a fire that tragically claimed 16 young lives, the country hasn't just been mourning; instead, a wave of finger-pointing has taken over, with politicians and activists rushing to label the tragedy as a failure of the current administration rather than focusing on the immediate needs of the grieving survivors.
Advice Mundalo, a communication strategist and former national youth chair of the Jubilee Party, expressed his frustration with how quickly the narrative shifted. According to Mundalo, the instinct to use loss as a weapon has become a disturbing reflex in our public discourse. He argues that the immediate reaction of many opposition figures and civil society groups was to attack President William Ruto, effectively drowning out the voices of the victims' families in the process.
"I am deeply disappointed that even an unfortunate tragedy involving a fire that claimed the lives of young girls can still be turned into a tool for political expediency," Mundalo said.
This isn't just about social media noise; it's about the visible frustration directed at government officials who responded to the incident. Interior and Education Cabinet Secretaries were quick to arrive on the scene to assess the situation and provide early briefings to the public. Yet, they faced immediate backlash from critics who felt they didn't spend enough time on the ground. Even the National Prayer Breakfast, an annual fixture on the calendar, wasn't spared. Some observers insisted the event should have been cancelled entirely to maintain a singular focus on the fire, accusing the President of failing to appear sufficiently remorseful during his address.
The National Prayer Breakfast, an annual event, was targeted, with observers suggesting it should have been cancelled to maintain a focus on the fire.
The Price of Politicizing Tragedy
Part of the problem lies in the way media platforms, including popular segments like the 'News Gang', have structured their coverage. Critics have accused these panels of prioritizing political combat over providing a platform for the school community, teachers, and parents who are navigating unimaginable trauma. It highlights a recurring cycle where tragedy is treated as an opportunity to audition for the next news cycle's 'tough' political commentary rather than a time for reflection, and where the genuine human element is lost in the process.
Critics have accused media platforms of prioritizing political combat over providing a platform for those affected by the tragedy, such as school community members, teachers, and parents.
As of now, official investigators are still combing through the wreckage to determine exactly what sparked the fire. Despite the absence of a verified report, speculation remains rampant across every radio station and street corner from Nairobi to the furthest counties. This environment leaves the families of the 16 students in a precarious position, waiting for closure while their children's final moments are debated in abstract political arguments.
The families of the 16 students are left waiting for closure as the cause of the fire remains unclear, with speculation dominating public discourse.
There's a broader lesson here about the state of our national empathy. When every incident, from a fire at a prestigious school to minor policy shifts, is filtered through the lens of 'Ruto vs. The Opposition', the genuine human element is the first casualty. Mundalo believes the solution is simple, even if it feels difficult to achieve: we must learn to place humanity above our political loyalties. For now, the parents and the students left behind at the school will have to reconcile with the fact that while they were burying their loved ones, the rest of the country was preoccupied with scoring points for the 2027 political season.
For the parents and students left behind, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder that the pursuit of politics can often come at the expense of genuine human connection and empathy.