A devastating overnight fire at a girls' boarding school in central Kenya has claimed the lives of at least 16 students, according to a government official. Education Minister Julius Ogamba confirmed the deaths on Thursday and reported that 79 others sustained injuries in the blaze that engulfed the dormitories of Utumishi Girls School in the Gilgil area.
Details of the Incident
The school, which accommodates over 800 students, is government-owned and managed by the Kenya Police Service, with many pupils being daughters of police officers. The fire broke out during the night, and the cause remains unknown. Ogamba stated that authorities will investigate whether the school adhered to its fire safety protocols.
Response and Rescue Efforts
Police are leading rescue and emergency operations approximately 120 kilometres (74 miles) from the capital, Nairobi. Witness Wambui Nderitu recounted that the matron opened only one of two dormitory doors without alerting the students to evacuate. "The second door remained closed, and even though my cousin escaped with a leg injury, we've been told many children are injured and some died," Nderitu said.
Background of School Fires in Kenya
School fires are a recurring tragedy in Kenyan boarding schools, often resulting from arson or electrical faults. This incident follows a history of deadly fires:
- 2001: 67 students died in a dormitory fire in Machakos County, the deadliest in recent history.
- 2024: 21 students perished in a school fire in central Kenya, prompting President William Ruto to declare three days of mourning.
- 2017: 10 students died in a Nairobi school fire, leading to a murder charge against a student.
The latest tragedy underscores the urgent need for improved fire safety measures in educational institutions across the country.
