At least 16 students tragically lost their lives in an overnight fire that erupted at a girls’ boarding school, according to a government spokesperson. The incident occurred at Utumishi Girls School in the Gilgil area of central Kenya, where over 800 students are enrolled. Education Minister Julius Ogamba reported that 79 individuals sustained injuries in the blaze, the cause of which is yet to be determined. Ogamba emphasized that an investigation will be conducted to ascertain if the school’s fire safety protocols were followed.
Emergency response operations, led by the police, are underway approximately 120 kilometers from Nairobi, the capital city. Utumishi Girls School, a government-owned institution, is overseen and funded by the Kenya Police Service, catering to many students who are the daughters of police officers.
Witness Wambui Nderitu recounted that during the incident, one of the dormitory doors was opened by the matron without warning the children to evacuate. Nderitu expressed concern that numerous children were injured and some lost their lives, even though her cousin managed to escape with a leg injury.
Fires in schools are unfortunately not uncommon in Kenya, with incidents stemming from arson and electrical malfunctions. Kenya’s most devastating school fire in recent memory happened in 2001, claiming the lives of 67 students in Machakos County. In a separate incident in 2024, 21 students perished in a school fire in central Kenya, prompting President William Ruto to declare three days of national mourning. Additionally, in 2017, a school fire in Nairobi resulted in the death of 10 students.