Sixteen Students Dead, Dozens Injured in Kenya’s Utumishi Girls School Fire

Sixteen students have died and 74 others are receiving hospital treatment following a fire at Utumishi Girls School in Gilgil, approximately 120km west of Nairobi. Police confirmed the fatalities and injuries, stating that search-and-rescue operations are ongoing as some students remain unaccounted for after fleeing the blaze.

The fire began around 01:00 local time, engulfing a dormitory block housing approximately 220 students while they were asleep. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the inferno.

Previous Incidents Highlight Safety Deficiencies

This tragic event underscores persistent safety issues within Kenyan boarding schools. Previous deadly incidents have frequently been attributed to dormitory overcrowding and systemic failures in adhering to fire safety regulations. Police commander Masoud Mwinyi described the situation as “sad and distressing,” with the school now cordoned off as investigations proceed.

Witnesses reported scenes of confusion and fear outside the school. One parent recounted that her niece sustained a broken leg after jumping from an upper floor of the dormitory to escape the flames, illustrating the desperation of those trapped.