Fire at Kenyan girls' school kills 16
A fire at Utumishi Girls School in Gilgil, central Kenya, killed at least 16 students and injured 79 others. Education Minister Julius Ogamba announced the casualties on Thursday. The school, with over 800 students, is government-owned and managed by the Kenya Police Service. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and authorities will investigate whether fire safety protocols were followed. Police are leading rescue efforts. One relative, Wambui Nderitu, reported that the matron opened a dormitory door without alerting students. Victims have not yet been identified.
Key facts
- Fire at Utumishi Girls School in Gilgil, Kenya, killed 16 students.
- 79 others were injured in the overnight dormitory fire.
- Education Minister Julius Ogamba reported the casualties on Thursday.
- The school has over 800 students and is managed by the Kenya Police Service.
- The cause of the fire has not been established.
- Authorities will investigate adherence to fire safety manual.
- Police are leading rescue and emergency response efforts.
- Victims have not yet been identified.
Entities
Institutions
- Utumishi Girls School
- Kenya Police Service
Locations
- Gilgil
- Kenya
- Nairobi