Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has joined the nation in mourning following a devastating dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil that has left 10 students dead and 22 others injured, several of them in critical condition.
The incident occurred late at night while students were asleep inside the boarding section of the school. The fire is reported to have spread rapidly through one of the dormitories, trapping learners and triggering panic as students and staff attempted to escape the burning building.
Witnesses and school officials described chaotic scenes as emergency response teams rushed to the institution. Firefighters, police officers, and medical personnel were deployed and worked through the night to contain the blaze and rescue survivors. Injured students were rushed to hospitals in Gilgil and Nakuru for urgent treatment, with some receiving specialized care due to severe burns and smoke inhalation.
Authorities have cordoned off the affected dormitory as investigations into the cause of the fire continue. The exact origin of the blaze has not yet been established, with security and education officials considering possible causes including electrical faults and other structural or human factors.
Officials have confirmed that 10 students lost their lives in the tragedy, while 22 others sustained injuries, deepening the grief of families still waiting for full identification and official updates on their children.
The incident has reignited national concern over safety standards in boarding schools, with calls for urgent inspections and stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations across learning institutions.
In his message of condolence, Uhuru Kenyatta expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, saying he joins the nation in mourning with the bereaved families and the school community.
“I join the nation in mourning with the families who have lost their loved ones in the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil,” he said. “My heart goes out to the parents, guardians, students, teachers, and the entire school community during this painful time.”
He prayed for comfort for the bereaved, swift recovery for the injured, and strength for all those affected as they cope with the loss.
“May God grant eternal peace to those we have lost, comfort to those mourning, a swift recovery to the injured, and courage to all affected in the days ahead,” he added.
As investigations continue, the country remains in shock, with renewed pressure mounting on authorities to address longstanding safety gaps in boarding schools to prevent similar tragedies.
