Dormitory Fire at Kenyan Boarding School Kills Sixteen Students
The blaze occurred shortly after midnight at Utumishi Girls’ Academy Senior School in the town of Gilgil, according to Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen. The fire reportedly began around 12:45 a.m. in a second-floor dormitory housing students at the institution, which has an enrollment of more than 800 girls.
Emergency services, including firefighters and county security teams, managed to bring the fire under control by approximately 3:00 a.m. Rescue operations continued through the morning as students were evacuated and the injured transported to hospital.
Officials said 79 students were injured in the incident. Most have since been discharged, while a small number remain hospitalized in stable condition.
Investigators from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations have arrested eight students in connection with the blaze. Authorities stated that early findings identified them as “persons of interest” in relation to the suspected arson attack, with inquiries still ongoing to determine the exact cause.
Kenyan President William Ruto expressed condolences to the families of the victims, stating that the country was mourning the loss of young lives and emphasizing government support for survivors and affected families.
The tragedy adds to a troubling pattern of deadly school fires in Kenya in recent years, raising renewed concerns about safety conditions in boarding schools. A similar incident in 2024 killed 21 students at another institution, underscoring ongoing challenges in preventing such disasters.
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