Sixteen students were killed in a fire that broke out at the Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, a town about 120 km (77 mi) west of Nairobi, according to a local police officer.
The blaze ignited in the early hours, when the students were asleep. Police and the Kenya Red Cross rushed to the scene, but the cause of the fire is still unknown. Rescue teams are continuing to search the building as authorities investigate.
Police commander Masoud Mwinyi addressed parents and crowds outside the school, saying, It is a sad and saddening situation. He added that investigations were ongoing and the school grounds had been cordoned off, with entry allowed only to parents.
School fires are not unusual in Kenya. In recent years, several boarding schools have suffered deadly outbreaks, often blamed on poor adherence to safety guidelines—such as the lack of proper fire exits or insufficient firefighting equipment.
The incident underscores the need for stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations in schools throughout the country. A national review of boarding school infrastructure has been suggested by education experts.
Further updates will be released as investigators determine the circumstances that led to the tragic loss of life.
The blaze ignited in the early hours, when the students were asleep. Police and the Kenya Red Cross rushed to the scene, but the cause of the fire is still unknown. Rescue teams are continuing to search the building as authorities investigate.
Police commander Masoud Mwinyi addressed parents and crowds outside the school, saying, It is a sad and saddening situation. He added that investigations were ongoing and the school grounds had been cordoned off, with entry allowed only to parents.
School fires are not unusual in Kenya. In recent years, several boarding schools have suffered deadly outbreaks, often blamed on poor adherence to safety guidelines—such as the lack of proper fire exits or insufficient firefighting equipment.
The incident underscores the need for stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations in schools throughout the country. A national review of boarding school infrastructure has been suggested by education experts.
Further updates will be released as investigators determine the circumstances that led to the tragic loss of life.
