A devastating dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, early Thursday morning has claimed at least 10 young lives, with many more students injured and hospitalized.
As grieving parents and relatives gathered outside the school, one kin member of a surviving student spoke emotionally to NTV Kenya, describing the panic, escape failures, and urging stricter enforcement of safety standards in boarding schools.
In the on-scene interview, the relative detailed the frantic rush to the school after receiving an urgent call. “I got a call from my aunt. She told me there was an order to send girls and come see her child,” she recounted. Upon arrival, families were forced to form long lines amid overwhelming crowds, as many parents learned their daughters had either perished or were receiving treatment in hospital.
The relative highlighted severe shortcomings in the school’s emergency response. According to her account and the student’s description, the fire broke out around 1 a.m. on the ground floor of the dormitory.
While a matron reportedly managed to open one door, others remained jammed or locked, trapping students inside as panic spread. “When he opened one door… this another door had already closed. If they could open two doors, there wouldn’t have been so many people [affected],” she said.
Survivors described chaos as smoke filled the building, with some students sustaining injuries while trying to escape. The relative expressed sympathy for bereaved families: “I also want to say sorry for those who have lost their children… many of them are in hospital.” She appealed to parents to pray for the injured and called on the government to take decisive action.
“We would like the government to take care… whether there is a [safety] law or any other legislation,” she urged, emphasizing the need for proper disaster management protocols, accessible emergency exits, and accountability in boarding institutions. Her plea echoes broader national concerns following repeated fire incidents in Kenyan schools.
Kenya Red Cross responded to the scene after the fire was reported around 3:30 a.m. Rescue and search operations continued, with police and other agencies conducting headcounts. Authorities have confirmed at least 10 deaths, while the full toll and cause of the fire remain under investigation.
Parents continued streaming to the cordoned-off school throughout the day, creating emotional scenes of grief and anxiety. The tragedy has renewed urgent calls for improved fire safety, regular drills, and enforcement of building standards in boarding schools across the country.This incident is the latest in a series of school fires that have raised questions about preparedness. As investigations proceed, families mourn the young lives lost while hoping for swift support for the injured survivors.