By Andrew Mbuva
At least 10 students have been confirmed dead following a devastating overnight fire that razed a dormitory at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, in a tragedy that has shocked the nation.
According to Samuel Ndanyi, the deadly blaze broke out at around 1 a.m. on Thursday while students were asleep inside the dormitory, sparking panic and confusion across the school compound.
Emergency response teams, including firefighters, police officers, and rescue personnel, were swiftly dispatched to the scene as efforts intensified to contain the inferno and rescue students trapped inside the burning structure.
Speaking on Thursday morning, Ndanyi confirmed that at least 10 learners had lost their lives, even as rescue operations continued amid fears that the death toll could rise.
Several other students sustained injuries during the incident and were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment.
Authorities said the fire spread rapidly through the dormitory, leaving little time for some students to escape. Rescue teams continued combing through the charred remains of the building hours after the flames had been contained in an effort to account for all students.
The tragedy has once again raised serious concerns over fire safety standards in Kenyan boarding schools, particularly on issues related to emergency exits, dormitory congestion, and preparedness for night-time disasters.
Police have since launched investigations to establish the exact cause of the fire, with forensic experts expected to examine the remains of the dormitory as part of the inquiry.
The incident is likely to revive painful memories of previous deadly school fires that have claimed the lives of students across the country over the years, prompting renewed calls for stricter enforcement of safety regulations in learning institutions.
Parents and relatives flocked to the school on Thursday morning as officials worked to identify the victims and provide updates on students receiving treatment in hospital.
The government is yet to issue a comprehensive statement on the tragedy as investigations and rescue efforts continue.
