Kenya woke on Thursday to grief and disbelief after a deadly dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil claimed the lives of 16 students and left dozens injured.
President William Ruto led the nation in mourning, describing the tragedy as a devastating loss of young lives filled with promise and ambition.
“Our hearts and prayers are with the families who have lost their beloved daughters in the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil,” the President said in a message posted on X.
He added: “No words can truly ease the pain of losing young lives filled with promise, hope and dreams for the future.”
The fire broke out before dawn, according to police reports, tearing through a dormitory that housed 220 students from Grade 10, Form Three and Form Four classes.
Authorities said the school principal, Joycelene Muraguri, reported the incident at around 4.30am.
Police confirmed that 16 students died in the blaze, while 74 others were taken to hospital with injuries of varying severity.
Outside hospitals in Nakuru County, anxious parents and relatives gathered throughout the morning, many searching for information about their children as emergency teams worked to account for all the learners affected.
President Ruto Termed the Tragedy as a Devastating Loss of Young Lives
President Ruto said the government’s immediate focus was on rescue efforts, treatment for the injured and support for grieving families.
“Our immediate attention is focused on the rescue of those affected, the treatment of the injured, and support for their families, while investigations continue into the cause of the fire,” he said.
A multi-agency response was launched shortly after the alarm was raised. Firefighters from Naivasha joined officers from the Kenya Defence Forces, the National Youth Service, the Kenya Forest Service and the Anti-Stock Theft Unit to contain the blaze and assist in rescue operations.
The tragedy has reignited concerns over fire safety standards in Kenyan boarding schools, an issue that has surfaced repeatedly over the years following a series of fatal school fires.
By Thursday afternoon, messages of condolence continued pouring in from political leaders, education officials and members of the public, many calling for a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire and stronger measures to protect students in boarding institutions.
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