NAKURU, County—A dark cloud of grief has engulfed Gilgil in Nakuru County after a deadly dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy reportedly claimed the lives of at least 10 students, leaving several others seriously injured.
The tragic fire is said to have broken out in the early hours of Thursday morning while students were asleep inside the dormitory, turning what began as a normal school night into one of the country’s latest school tragedies.
Reports emerging from the scene indicate that some students became trapped inside the burning dormitory after they were allegedly unable to open the exit door while trying to escape as flames spread rapidly through the building.
Parents rushed to the school in panic following news of the inferno, only to be met by heartbreaking scenes of smoke, sirens and confusion as emergency teams carried out rescue operations.
Rift Valley Regional Police Commander Samuel Ndanyi confirmed the deaths, saying rescue and search operations were still ongoing as authorities continued accounting for all students affected by the incident.
Emergency responders, including Kenya Red Cross personnel, firefighters, police officers and medical teams, remain at the scene supporting rescue efforts and assisting injured students.
In a statement, the Kenya Red Cross said its emergency response teams, E-Plus ambulance crews and psychosocial support personnel had been deployed to support affected students and families alongside relevant authorities.
Several injured students were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment as investigators began efforts to determine the cause of the deadly fire.
The tragedy has once again reignited national concerns over fire safety standards, disaster preparedness and emergency response systems in Kenyan boarding schools.
Questions are already emerging over whether the institution had adequate fire safety measures, emergency exits and proper evacuation procedures capable of protecting students during such emergencies.
The incident has triggered widespread mourning across the country, with Kenyans on social media expressing grief, anger and frustration over recurring school fire disasters that continue claiming young lives.
As investigations continue, families now face the painful task of identifying victims and coming to terms with a tragedy that has shattered dreams and left an entire school community in mourning.
More updates to follow as additional details emerge from the scene…
