At least 16 students have died in a devastating overnight fire at Utumishi Girls School in Gilgil, central Kenya. Education Minister Julius Ogamba confirmed that 79 others were injured as police led rescue efforts about 120 kilometres from Nairobi. The tragedy adds to a series of deadly school fires in Kenya, raising urgent concerns over boarding school safety.
Fire at Utumishi Girls School
According to the Associated Press, the blaze broke out in the dormitories of the government-owned secondary school, which is managed and sponsored by the Kenya Police Service. The school hosts more than 800 students, many of whom are daughters of police officers. Ogamba confirmed on Thursday that 79 students were injured, with authorities still investigating the cause of the fire. He noted that officials would examine whether the school's fire safety manual had been properly followed.
Rescue efforts in Gilgil
Police reported that they were leading rescue and emergency response operations about 120 kilometres (74 miles) from Nairobi. Witness accounts suggest confusion during the evacuation. One witness, Wambui Nderitu, said: "The matron opened one of two dormitory doors without alerting the children to exit. 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."
History of school fires in Kenya
School fires are sadly common in Kenya, often caused by arson or electrical faults. The country has witnessed several deadly incidents in recent years. In 2001, a Machakos County fire killed 67 students in a dormitory blaze. In 2017, a Nairobi fire killed 10 students, and one student was charged with murder. In 2024, a fire in central Kenya killed 21 students, prompting President William Ruto to declare three days of mourning. These repeated tragedies have raised urgent questions about safety standards in boarding schools across the nation.
Government response
Minister Ogamba stressed that investigations would determine whether safety protocols were ignored. The government is expected to review fire safety measures in schools nationwide to prevent further loss of life. The incident has sparked renewed calls for stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations in educational institutions.
In a related development, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria commiserated with the Zamfara government and owners of an Almajiri school in Kaura-Namoda local government area over the death of 17 children in a fire incident. Such accidents have become common in Africa's largest oil producer, killing hundreds of people in recent years. Almajiri refers to a system of Islamic education practised in northern Nigeria. In a statement, President Tinubu prayed for the quick recovery of the 17 injured people and enjoined all public and private schools to prioritise children's safety and security at all times. He directed regulatory authorities in the education sector to ensure compliance with safety standards.
