A devastating fire at a girls' boarding school in Kenya has resulted in the deaths of 16 students and left 73 others hospitalized. The blaze erupted overnight at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, approximately 120 kilometers (77 miles) west of Nairobi, the capital.
Fire Broke Out While Students Slept
The fire started around 1 a.m. local time on Thursday, while roughly 220 students were asleep. However, according to the Kenyan Red Cross, the incident was not reported until more than two hours later. Many students suffered injuries after leaping from the top floor to escape the flames.
Wambui Nderitu, a relative of a student at the school, told BBC Africa: "When we arrived at the school we were told to queue. Most of us were so worried because we had heard some students had died and others were injured and in hospital. Some of those at the top floor had to jump out, that's why they are injured." She added that her cousin survived but broke her leg.
Officials Respond
Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen visited the school alongside other officials, offering condolences to the bereaved families. "It's a very anxious moment and even as we account for the 16 so far identified as having passed on, I want to ask the people of Kenya that together we stand with the families... in prayer, in support. I ask everyone to be patient and avoid speculation," he said.
County police official Masoud Mwinyi described the situation as "distressing and saddening" while addressing distraught parents outside the school. He confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that the school has been cordoned off, with only parents permitted entry. Authorities have confirmed the fire is contained, but the cause remains unknown.
Recurring Issue in Kenyan Schools
School fires are a frequent occurrence in Kenyan boarding schools, often attributed to arson linked to drug abuse and overcrowding, according to a recent education ministry report. Over the past two decades, more than 100 children have died in fire-related incidents in Kenyan schools. A report by the country's auditor general revealed that many schools lack proper fire-fighting equipment and fail to meet required safety standards.
In 2024, a deadly fire at a private Kenyan boarding school killed at least 21 children aged 10 to 14. Kenya's deadliest school fire in recent history occurred in 2001, when 67 students died in a dormitory fire in Machakos county.
