At least 16 students killed in fire at Kenya girls school dorm

A fire at Utumishi Girls School in Gilgil, central Kenya, has resulted in the deaths of at least 16 students and injured 79 others. Education Minister Julius Ogamba confirmed the casualties on Thursday, following the overnight blaze. The cause of the fire is currently unknown. Police are leading rescue efforts and searching the surrounding areas for students who may have fled the dormitory due to shock and fear. This incident adds to Kenya's history of school fires, with previous incidents in 2024 and 2017 also resulting in student fatalities.

At least 16 students died and 79 were injured in an overnight fire at Utumishi Girls School in Gilgil, central Kenya. The blaze occurred in the dormitories of the boarding school, which houses over 800 students and is managed by the Kenya Police Service. The cause of the fire is currently unknown, and authorities will investigate adherence to fire safety protocols. President William Ruto declared three days of mourning for the victims. This incident marks the latest in a series of deadly school fires in Kenya.

At least 16 students died in an overnight fire at Utumishi Girls School in Gilgil, central Kenya. Education Minister Julius Ogamba reported that 79 other students were injured in the dormitory blaze. The school has over 800 students. The cause of the fire is currently unknown, and authorities will investigate adherence to the school's fire safety manual. Police are leading rescue and emergency response efforts at the school, located approximately 120 kilometers from Nairobi.