A devastating fire at a girls’ boarding school in Kenya killed 16 students and injured dozens more after flames swept through a dormitory during the early hours of Thursday morning. The tragedy occurred at Utumishi Girls Academy in Nakuru County, around 120 kilometres north of Nairobi, raising fresh concerns about safety conditions in Kenyan boarding schools following several similar incidents in recent years.
According to officials, the fire broke out shortly before 1am local time while students were asleep inside the dormitory building. Education Minister Julius Migos Ogamba confirmed the deaths while emergency teams rushed injured students to nearby hospitals for treatment. Authorities stated that at least 79 students were hospitalised, many suffering burns, fractures and injuries sustained while trying to escape the rapidly spreading flames.
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Witnesses described scenes of panic and destruction as firefighters battled the blaze for nearly 45 minutes before bringing it under control. A firefighter involved in the operation explained that mattresses and dormitory materials intensified the fire and made rescue efforts more difficult. The affected building was left severely damaged, with blackened walls, shattered windows and parts of the roof collapsing during the incident.
Meanwhile, distressed parents gathered outside hospitals and the school premises while officials worked to identify victims and inform affected families about missing students. Several parents described heartbreaking uncertainty as they searched for their daughters among survivors and victims. One mother said her daughter remained missing, while another revealed her child broke both legs after jumping from a dormitory window to escape the flames.
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President William Ruto described the incident as an unimaginable tragedy and offered condolences to families mourning the loss of their daughters. As investigations continued late into the night, forensic teams lined body bags outside the damaged dormitory while authorities examined the possible cause of the deadly blaze. Officials have not yet confirmed whether the fire resulted from an accident or deliberate action.
Kenya has experienced several deadly school fires over the years, with previous investigations linking some incidents to arson carried out by students. Authorities reported that 63 school arson cases were recorded in 2018 alone, highlighting long-standing safety concerns. The education ministry stated that around 350 schools have been closed since 2024 for failing to meet safety standards, while inspections will continue nationwide to improve student protection measures.