A devastating fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, has claimed the lives of 16 students early on Thursday morning. The tragedy was compounded when the mother of one injured student died in a road accident while rushing to the school.
The fire broke out around 12:45am in the Meline Waithera Block dormitory housing 220 students from Grade 10, Form Three and Form Four. School principal Joycelene Muraguri reported the incident to Gilgil police at 10:30am.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba ordered the school closed and directed parents to collect their children. Hotline 1199 was activated for reporting and counseling.
President William Ruto expressed national grief and said the focus remains on rescue, treatment and investigations. Senior officials including Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen visited the scene.
