Sixteen students have tragically died in a dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, Kenya, with dozens more injured and hosp
Sixteen students have tragically died in a dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, Kenya, with dozens more injured and hospitalised.
Police and emergency responders are investigating the cause of the blaze, which broke out in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Dormitory Fire Incident
A deadly fire engulfed the Meline Waithera Block dormitory, which housed about 220 students from Grade 10, Form 3, and Form 4. The blaze was reported around 3:30–4:30 am by the school principal, Joycelene Muraguri, prompting immediate response from police, fire brigades, and the Kenya Red Cross. Despite swift action, 16 students lost their lives, while 74 others sustained injuries ranging from burns to fractures after attempting to escape.
Emergency Response and Hospitalisation
Rescue efforts involved multi-agency teams, including the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), Naivasha fire brigades, and units from the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and National Youth Service (NYS). Injured students were rushed to Gilgil Sub-County Hospital and St. Mark’s Hospital, where they are receiving treatment. Authorities confirmed that many survivors are in stable condition, though some suffered severe burns and injuries from jumping out of the building.
Investigations and Public Reaction
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Gilgil has taken over the case, with crime scene investigators documenting the site. The cause of the fire remains unknown, sparking urgent calls for improved safety standards in Kenyan boarding schools. Outside the school, distraught parents gathered in panic, with many demanding accountability and better emergency preparedness, including multiple exits and stronger evacuation protocols. The tragedy has reignited national debate on boarding school safety regulations and the adequacy of emergency responses.
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