Sixteen students have been confirmed dead following a devastating dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, while dozens of others were rushed to hospital after sustaining injuries.
Police said 74 learners were admitted to hospital after the blaze broke out in the early hours of Thursday morning.
According to an incident report filed at Gilgil Police Station, the school principal, Joycelene Muraguri, alerted authorities about the fire at around 3.30am.
Police officers led by the Sub-County Police Commander, alongside detectives, responded to the scene and found one of the dormitory blocks already engulfed in flames.
The affected building, identified as the Meline Waithera Block, reportedly housed 220 students from Grade 10, Form Three and Form Four classes.
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In a statement, the Kenya Red Cross said: “Following a fire incident reported at around 3.30am at Utumishi Girls Academy in Nakuru County, Kenya Red Cross responded to support the ongoing emergency response.”
They added: “Our first responders, @EMS_Kenya ambulance crew and our psychosocial support personnel are currently on the ground supporting affected students alongside other responders and relevant authorities.”
Authorities said firefighters eventually brought the blaze under control, although the extent of damage to property had not been established by Thursday morning.
Students injured in the incident were taken to Gilgil Sub-County Hospital and St Mark’s Hospital for treatment for injuries of varying severity.
Crime scene investigators processed the area as detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigators (DCI) in Gilgil launched investigations into the tragedy.
The cause of the fire had not yet been established.
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