At Least 16 Students Die in Fire at Central Kenya Boarding School

At least 16 students have died and dozens more were injured after a fire swept through a girls’ school dormitory in central Kenya, authorities said on Thursday.

The blaze broke out overnight at Utumishi Girls School in Gilgil, located in Nakuru County, about 120 kilometres northwest of the capital, Nairobi. Education Minister Julius Ogamba confirmed that 79 students were injured in the incident.

Police and emergency teams rushed to the school as rescue operations continued into the morning. Officials said some students may have fled during the chaos, prompting security officers to search nearby areas.

Television footage from the scene showed smoke-blackened walls, shattered windows and extensive damage to the dormitory building.

Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire.

Kenya has experienced several deadly school fires over the years, with many incidents linked to overcrowding, poor safety standards and student unrest. In 2024, 21 students were killed in a boarding school fire in Nyeri County, while another school fire in Nairobi in 2017 claimed the lives of 10 students.

Investigations into the latest tragedy are ongoing.

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