A devastating fire engulfed a girls' dormitory at Utumishi Girls Academy in Nakuru County, Kenya, early Thursday, claiming the lives of 16 students and leaving 79 others hospitalized. The blaze broke out shortly before 1:00 AM local time, approximately 120 kilometers north of the capital, Nairobi, according to officials.
Details of the Incident
Education Minister Julius Migos Ogamba confirmed the death toll at the scene, describing it as an unfortunate incident. The victims' ages have not been disclosed. An AFP journalist reported that the dormitory suffered shattered windows, blackened walls, and a crumpled corrugated iron roof. Firefighters took about 45 minutes to extinguish the flames due to the mattresses inside.
Parents gathered at the site, anxiously awaiting news. Leila Matura, 52, expressed despair over her missing 18-year-old daughter. Another mother, who wished to remain anonymous, said her 17-year-old daughter broke both legs jumping from a window to escape the fire.
Background and Safety Concerns
Kenya has a history of deadly school fires, often linked to arson by students. In 2018 alone, 63 arson cases were reported in schools. A 2001 dormitory fire in Machakos killed 67 students, and a 2024 fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy killed 21 boys, prompting government promises of safety audits that remain unclear in implementation.
The Utumishi Girls Academy is affiliated with the National Police Service, and most students are children of police officers. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire. President William Ruto called it an unimaginable tragedy and expressed condolences.
Education Minister Ogamba stated that the ministry has closed around 350 schools since 2024 for failing to meet safety standards and pledged continued inspections to ensure compliance.
