An inferno at a boarding school in Kenya’s Nakuru county has claimed the lives of around 15 students, according to authorities. The tragic incident occurred at Utumishi Girls’ Academy Senior School, with the exact number of injured pupils still uncertain.
Emergency response teams, led by regional police commander Samuel Ndanyi, have been tirelessly searching the dormitory where the fire erupted around 1 am local time. “It is a heart-wrenching and sorrowful situation,” expressed county police official Masoud Mwinyi to concerned parents gathered outside the school.
Local media reported that firefighters and police personnel swiftly mobilized to contain the blaze and evacuate other students. There is a possibility that some missing students managed to escape and are currently outside the premises.
Efforts to locate any remaining students are ongoing, with nearly fifty officers scouring the surrounding areas. “Many students moved outside out of fear and anxiety, especially considering this occurred at night. Our priority is to identify anyone who might still be unaccounted for,” as reported by Tuko.
Amid the chaos, one of the major challenges faced is the spread of speculation and misinformation. Mwinyi emphasized the immediate commencement of investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to address concerns and dispel rumors.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat is leading the rescue and emergency response operations at the school, where a tragic dormitory fire has led to several fatalities and injuries. Collaborative efforts involving various agencies, including the Kenya Defence Forces and emergency response teams, aim to support affected families and ensure all students are safe.
Notably, a similar tragedy occurred in 2024 when 21 students lost their lives in a fire at a primary boarding school in Nyeri county, nearby.
