Seven students injured in a dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, have been airlifted to Nairobi for specialized treatment, while 61 others were treated and discharged.
The fire, which was reported at around 3:30 a.m. on May 28, has left 16 students dead and more than 70 others injured, making it one of the deadliest school fire incidents in recent years.
According to officials, the seven students who sustained serious injuries were transferred to hospitals in Nairobi for advanced medical care. The remaining 61 students were attended to at nearby health facilities and discharged after treatment.
Emergency Response and Scenes of Panic
The Kenya Red Cross said it responded after receiving reports of the fire and deployed emergency teams, ambulance crews, and psychosocial support personnel to the scene.
Also Read: Utumishi Girls Academy Dorm Design Raises Safety Concerns
“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,” the organization said.
Witness accounts from parents at the scene described chaotic moments after the fire, with several individuals collapsing and others overwhelmed by panic as they tried to get information about their children.
Medical teams from the Red Cross were on site providing first aid and supporting affected families, including parents who required emergency attention within the compound.
Some injuries are believed to have resulted from desperate escape attempts, with reports indicating that several students on upper floors jumped during the fire, leading to fractures and other serious injuries.
Emotional scenes also unfolded outside the school, where anxious family members gathered as emergency teams and authorities continued operations.
“You are not telling us anything. I want to know where my daughter is. It is now midday since morning,” lamented one parent.
“Let me check if my daughter is among the dead or which hospital she is in.”
Utumishi Girls Closure and Government Response
The fire broke out in the early hours of Thursday while students were asleep, catching many off guard and increasing the scale of the tragedy.
Also Read: All You Need to Know About Utumishi Girls Academy: KCSE Results, School History, Fees and Admission
Following the incident, the government ordered the temporary closure of Utumishi Girls Academy to allow for investigations into the cause of the fire.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced the formation of a multi-agency team to handle the crisis and oversee investigations.
“As a government, we have formed a multi-agency team that is going to handle this crisis,” Ogamba said.“We will be releasing you today for a few days as we work through this crisis, and we will be ensuring that by the time you are getting back, everything has been put in place to ensure you can continue with your studies,” he added.
The State Department for Children Services has also announced the deployment of counseling specialists to support survivors, bereaved families, teachers, and first responders.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire, while response and support efforts continue.
