Nairobi: A deadly fire at a girls boarding school in Kenya has left the country in shock after several students lost their lives while many others were injured in the middle of the night. The tragic incident happened at Utumishi Girls School in Gilgil town in Nakuru County, where students were sleeping when flames suddenly spread through one of the dormitories.
According to local authorities, the fire broke out during the early hours of Thursday morning. Rescue teams rushed to the school as terrified students screamed for help and tried to escape from the burning building. Witnesses said some girls managed to flee through windows and doors while others became trapped inside as smoke quickly filled the dormitory.
Police officials confirmed that several students died in the tragedy, while many others suffered burns and breathing problems caused by smoke inhalation. Injured students were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Authorities are still working to identify all the victims and determine the exact number of casualties as confusion continued among families searching for their children.
Outside the school gates, scenes of heartbreak unfolded as worried parents and relatives gathered waiting for information. Some families spent hours calling hospitals and speaking to school officials in fear that their daughters might be among the victims. Rescue workers continued searching through the damaged building while emergency vehicles moved in and out of the school compound.
Officials said investigations have already begun to determine what caused the fire. Early reports suggested the blaze may have started from an electrical problem, but investigators have not yet confirmed the exact reason. Government officers and police experts are examining the remains of the dormitory and interviewing school staff and students who survived the incident.
The tragedy has once again raised serious questions about safety conditions in Kenyan boarding schools. Many education experts and parents have long expressed concerns about overcrowded dormitories, poor electrical systems, and limited emergency exits in some schools across the country. Safety campaigners say many institutions still lack enough fire extinguishers, alarms, and proper evacuation plans.
Kenya has witnessed several deadly school fires in recent years. In 2024, another heartbreaking dormitory fire at Hillside Endarasha Primary School in Nyeri County killed many children and shocked the nation. Earlier incidents in Nairobi and Machakos also claimed dozens of student lives. Each tragedy has led to calls for stronger enforcement of school safety regulations, yet many families fear that not enough changes have been made.
Following the latest disaster, Kenyan leaders expressed sorrow and sent condolences to the affected families. Government officials promised that those responsible would be held accountable if negligence or safety failures are discovered during the investigation. Education authorities also said counseling services would be provided for survivors, teachers, and grieving families struggling to cope with the trauma.
Religious leaders and community members across the country joined in mourning the students who died. Messages of sympathy poured in on social media as Kenyans shared prayers and called for urgent action to protect children living in boarding schools.
As rescue and identification efforts continue, the country remains united in grief over another painful school tragedy that has taken young lives and left many families devastated.