By By Elizabeth Ugbo
A deadly fire killed 16 students at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Kenya, on Thursday morning. The fire broke out around 01:00 local time in a dormitory housing about 220 students. Police and emergency teams responded quickly and extinguished the flames by 03:00. Authorities have launched investigations to determine the cause of the tragedy, while parents continue searching for answers.
Parents Waited Anxiously for News
Several parents gathered outside the school for hours after the incident. Many desperately searched for information about their children.
“I am happy now, but not really because some parents have lost their children. In this school, we are like a family,” Roselyn Rakamba said after reuniting with her daughter.
Rakamba explained that a friend informed her about the fire during the night. She rushed to the school immediately. Fortunately, her 14-year-old daughter later contacted her and confirmed she was safe.
However, not every parent received good news. One distressed father shouted at a police officer while waiting outside the school.
“Don’t you understand? I just want to know if she is dead or alive!” he cried.
Dozens of Students Injured
Besides the 16 deaths, the fire injured 79 students. Medical teams treated the victims at nearby hospitals. Most injured students have already returned home.
More than 800 students were inside the boarding school when the fire started. Authorities said emergency teams acted fast to prevent additional deaths.
Kenya’s Long History of School Fires
Sadly, Kenya has experienced several deadly boarding school fires over the years. In 2024, another dormitory fire in central Kenya killed at least 21 people.
Investigators have linked many previous school fires to arson. In some cases, unhappy students reportedly started fires because of harsh discipline or poor living conditions. Other fires resulted from electrical faults or accidents.
Safety Concerns Grow Across Kenya
The latest tragedy has increased concerns about student safety in Kenyan boarding schools. Parents and citizens on social media have questioned whether schools follow fire safety regulations.
Critics also blame overcrowded dormitories, blocked exits, and locked windows for the high number of deaths during school fires.
Many parents now demand stricter inspections and stronger safety measures in schools across the country.
Authorities Begin Investigation
Police officers and fire experts have started investigating the cause of the Utumishi Girls Academy fire. Officials promised to release more details after completing their investigations.
Meanwhile, grieving families continue mourning the students who lost their lives in the heartbreaking incident.
