Lilian Nyiva
A tragic fire broke out at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, during the early hours of Thursday morning, leaving at least 10 students feared dead and several others unaccounted for.
According to initial reports by Kenyan media and police authorities, the fire started at around 1:00 a.m. inside one of the school dormitories. Rift Valley Regional Police Commander Samuel Ndanyi confirmed that emergency rescue teams were deployed immediately after the incident was reported.
Firefighters, police officers, and rescue teams worked through the night to contain the blaze and evacuate students from nearby dormitories. Authorities said search and rescue operations were still ongoing as investigators continued to assess the extent of the damage.
Cause of the fire
The exact cause of the fire had not been established by the time of publication. Police said investigations would focus on possible electrical faults, negligence, or other causes commonly linked to school fires in Kenya.
The tragedy has once again raised concerns about safety standards in Kenyan boarding schools. Over the years, Kenya has witnessed several deadly school dormitory fires, many of which have been linked to arson or poor fire safety measures.
One of the country’s most remembered school fire tragedies occurred in 2017 at Moi Girls High School, where 10 students lost their lives after a dormitory was set ablaze. Investigations later led to the conviction of a student on manslaughter charges.
Education stakeholders and parents have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of fire safety measures in schools, including regular inspections, functioning firefighting equipment, emergency exits, and fire drills.
As families await confirmation about the fate of missing students, messages of condolence and support have begun pouring in from leaders, parents, and members of the public across the country.
Authorities are expected to release more details once rescue operations and identification processes are completed.
