Several students are feared dead following a fire incident at Utumishi Girls Academy in Nakuru County. According to preliminary reports, the inferno broke out at the school’s girls’ dormitory in the early hours of Thursday, May 28.
The Kenya Red Cross said the fire was reported at around 3:30 am, prompting an emergency response involving first responders, EMS Kenya ambulance crews, and psychosocial support personnel.
“Following a fire incident reported at around 3:30 am at Utumishi Girls Academy in Nakuru County, Kenya Red Cross responded to support the ongoing emergency response,” Kenya Red Cross confirmed.
As of the time of reporting, at least 10 students had been confirmed dead following a dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy, and several have been injured and are hospitalized in St Joseph’s Hospital.
Rift Valley Regional Police Commander Samuel Ndanyi confirmed the fatalities, adding that search and rescue efforts were still ongoing as authorities continued to assess the full impact of the incident.
Govt to Deploy Counselling Specialists for Survivors and Bereaved Families After Utumishi Incident
The State Department for Children Services has announced the deployment of counselling specialists to support survivors, bereaved families, teachers, and first responders following the Utumishi Girls Academy fire in Gilgil, Nakuru County.
As per their statement, the intervention includes psychosocial support services aimed at promoting emotional recovery and mental wellbeing for those affected by the tragedy.
The ministry said the response is being coordinated alongside other government agencies, emergency teams, and partners to ensure structured support, family tracing, and ongoing child protection services.
President Ruto Mourns Utumishi Girls Fire Victims
Press Restricted as Senior Officials Tour Scene
A heavy police presence has been reported at Utumishi Girls Academy as senior government officials, including DCI boss Mohamed Amin, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migosi Ogamba, Principal Secretary Bitok, and Inspector General Douglas Kanja, arrived at the scene following the dormitory fire.
Members of the press were escorted out of the premises to allow emergency response operations and official assessments to continue.
Authorities indicated that journalists would be allowed back later during a scheduled briefing on the incident and ongoing investigations.
6 More Students Die, Total Deaths Reach 16
Six additional students have died following the Utumishi Girls Academy fire in Gilgil, Nakuru County, raising the total number of confirmed fatalities to 16.
Authorities say the deaths occurred after victims succumbed to injuries sustained during the incident.
Police reports indicate that 74 other students have been admitted to hospital with injuries of varying severity. Medical teams continue to provide treatment as investigations into the cause of the fire proceed.
In response, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Douglas Kanja Lagat and Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang Bitok have flown to Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, following the dormitory fire incident.
Parents Panic as Some Faint, Receive First Aid from Kenya Red Cross at Scene
According to reports from parents within the premises of Utumishi Girls Academy, several individuals have fainted following the dormitory fire incident, with others in a state of panic and distress.
The situation has created heightened anxiety as families seek information about their children inside the school.
“There are parents who have fainted heavily on the ground, and Kenya Red Cross is responding, but the number of responders is still limited,” a parent reported.
Kenya Red Cross medical teams are on the ground providing first aid and emergency support to those affected. Some parents who fainted within the compound are being attended to as response operations continue.
The parent further detailed that students on the upper floors reportedly jumped during the fire, which led to injuries including broken legs.
Kenya Red Cross Responds After Girls’ Dormitory Fire at Utumishi Girls Academy
The Kenya Red Cross said its teams are currently on the ground supporting affected students alongside other responders and relevant authorities as emergency operations continue.
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“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,” the statement added.
Parents have arrived at Utumishi Girls Academy Senior School in Gilgil, following the dormitory fire incident.
According to videos shared from the scene, anxious family members were seen gathered outside the school as emergency teams and authorities continued with response operations.
Details Of Utumishi Girls Academy
Utumishi Girls Academy is a boarding national girls school located in Gilgil town, Nakuru County, Kenya.
Also Read: Utumishi Boys Academy School Fees, KCSE Performance and Key Contacts
Specifically, it sits within the National Police College “A” Campus (formerly the African Police Training Centre – APTC) in Gilgil Sub-County, Rift Valley region. The school’s postal address is P.O. Box 23, Gilgil, and can be contacted at +254 745 190036.
The school was founded in 1990 by Edward Mbugua, who is also the former patron of Utumishi Boys’ Academy.
Originally called Utumishi Girls Academy Secondary School, it has operated for 36 years and is now known as Utumishi Girls Academy Senior School under Kenya’s Competency Based Curriculum (CBC).
Utumishi Girls Academy is a C1 public school under the management of the National Police Service, primarily serving daughters of National Police Service officers.
In 2024, the school achieved excellent KCSE results with a mean score of 7.88, marking their second cohort to sit for the national examination.
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