An inferno at Utumishi Girls’ Academy Senior School in Nakuru County, Kenya, has tragically claimed the lives of approximately 15 students. The fire outbreak occurred in a dormitory, with the exact number of injured pupils still unknown, according to local authorities.
Emergency response teams, under the guidance of Samuel Ndanyi, the regional police commander, have been actively searching the affected dormitory since the blaze erupted around 1 am local time. The situation has deeply saddened both officials and parents, with county police representative Masoud Mwinyi empathizing with distraught families outside the school premises.
Firefighters and police personnel swiftly mobilized to contain the flames and evacuate other students. Reports suggest that some unaccounted-for students may have successfully fled the scene and sought safety outside the school compound. The search efforts are ongoing, involving nearly fifty officers scouring the vicinity for any remaining individuals.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, prompting a police investigation led by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). County police official Mwinyi reassured concerned parties that investigative measures were promptly initiated to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
A statement from the Kenya Police Service confirmed the dire situation, with Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat overseeing rescue operations at the school. Various agencies, including the Kenya Defence Forces, Ministry of Education, and emergency response teams, are collaborating to support the affected students and families during this challenging period.
Notably, this incident recalls a similar tragedy in 2024 when 21 students perished in a fire at a primary boarding school in Nyeri County, underscoring the critical need for enhanced safety measures in educational institutions.
