Deadly Dormitory Fire Kills Students at Kenyan Girls Boarding School
A tragic fire at a girls’ boarding school in central Kenya has claimed the lives of at least 16 students and left scores of others injured after flames tore through a dormitory while pupils were asleep.
The blaze broke out shortly after midnight at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, around 120 kilometres northwest of the capital Nairobi. Authorities said approximately 220 students were inside the dormitory when the fire erupted.
Emergency crews, police officers and Kenya Red Cross responders rushed to the scene as terrified students attempted to flee the burning building. Officials confirmed that at least 79 students suffered injuries, although many were later discharged after receiving treatment.
Witnesses described scenes of panic and confusion as smoke and flames rapidly spread through the dormitory. Some students reportedly escaped by jumping from upper-floor windows, while rescue teams worked through the night searching for missing pupils and helping survivors reach safety.
Kenyan Education Minister Julius Ogamba said investigations were underway to determine the cause of the fire, though authorities have not yet confirmed how the blaze started. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen urged the public not to speculate while investigators examine the incident.
The school, which is sponsored by the Kenya Police Service and mainly serves children of police officers, was sealed off as grieving parents gathered outside seeking information about their daughters. Counselling and psychological support services were also deployed to assist affected families and students.
Kenyan President William Ruto described the tragedy as devastating and expressed condolences to the victims’ families, promising a full investigation into the disaster and the school’s fire safety measures.
The incident has once again highlighted longstanding concerns over fire safety in Kenyan boarding schools. The country has experienced several deadly school fires over the past two decades, including the 2001 Kyanguli Secondary School disaster in which 67 students died, as well as a 2024 dormitory fire in Nyeri County that killed 21 children.
Investigators are expected to examine whether overcrowding, locked exits or failures to follow safety regulations contributed to the scale of the tragedy.
Authorities said rescue and identification operations were continuing as the nation mourns one of the deadliest school fires in recent Kenyan history.
Got a news story or tip to share? Contact our editorial team by emailing news@lakelandpost.co.uk or call us directly on 0333 090 2080.