The founder of Utumishi Girls Academy, Edward Mbugua, has shared the deeply personal story behind the dormitory that was recently destroyed in the tragic fire that claimed the lives of students at the school. Speaking during a requiem mass for the victims, Mbugua revealed that the building was named after his daughter, Meline Waithera, whose death in a road accident in 2021 inspired him to create a lasting legacy in her honour.
Highlights
- Edward Mbugua said the dormitory was named after his late daughter, Meline Waithera.
- Waithera died in a road accident in Nairobi in June 2021.
- Funeral contributions that remained after her burial helped fund the project.
- Mbugua donated KSh10 million towards the dormitory’s construction.
- Authorities are still investigating the cause of the deadly fire.
Main Story
Founder Explains the Origin of the Dormitory Name
As the nation continues to mourn the lives lost in the Utumishi Girls Academy fire tragedy, the school’s founder has addressed growing public curiosity surrounding the dormitory that was consumed by the blaze.
Speaking at Gilgil Stadium during a memorial service for the victims, Edward Mbugua explained that the building carried the name of his daughter, Meline Waithera, as a tribute to her memory following her untimely death.
According to Mbugua, Waithera lost her life in a road accident in Nairobi in June 2021, leaving his family devastated.
Turning Grief Into Purpose
The founder recounted how friends, relatives and well-wishers rallied around his family during the difficult period, contributing funds to support funeral arrangements.
After the burial, some of the money remained unused. Rather than spending it elsewhere, Mbugua said he consulted his family and together they agreed that the funds should be directed toward a meaningful project that would honour Waithera’s memory.
The decision eventually led to the construction of a dormitory within the school, creating what he hoped would become a lasting symbol of remembrance and service to young learners.
KSh10 Million Towards Construction
Mbugua disclosed that he later contributed KSh10 million during a fundraising drive aimed at supporting the construction project.
He explained that the amount included both his personal contribution and part of the surplus funds that had remained from his daughter’s funeral support.
For him, the initiative represented an opportunity to transform personal loss into something that could positively impact students for years to come.
A Legacy That Lives On
The school founder emphasized that naming the dormitory after Waithera was never intended to attract attention but rather to preserve her legacy within an institution dedicated to educating and empowering girls.
His remarks come amid heightened scrutiny following the devastating fire that destroyed the building and led to the loss of several young lives.
As investigations continue, education and security officials are expected to provide further findings regarding the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
Sometimes the most meaningful legacies are born from life’s deepest losses, a reminder that behind every building, there may be a story of love, memory and hope.
