Utumishi Girls' fire
School building fire in Kenya
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On 28 May 2026, a dormitory at the Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, Kenya, caught fire, killing 16 students and injuring 79 others.[1] The fire occurred in a boarding dormitory housing approximately 220 students. Following an investigation involving witness interviews and CCTV analysis, eight students were arrested on suspicion of involvement in a suspected arson attack.[2]
| 2026 Gilgil school fire | |
|---|---|
The dormitory after the fire. | |
| Location | Utumishi Girls Academy, Gilgil, Nakuru County, Kenya |
| Date | May 27, 2026 |
Attack type | Suspected arson |
| Deaths | 16 |
| Injured | 79 |
| Accused | 8 students |
Background
History of school fires in Kenya
School fires have been a recurring problem in Kenya, particularly at boarding schools. Many previous incidents have been linked to arson by students protesting school discipline or living conditions, while others have been attributed to accidental causes.[1]
Kenya's deadliest school fire occurred in 2001 in Machakos County, when 67 students died after a dormitory was deliberately set alight.[1]
A 2024 assessment by Kenya's Ministry of Education found that many schools failed to comply with fire-safety standards. The review cited dormitories with barred windows, single exits, inward-opening doors and overcrowding. Following the assessment, the ministry ordered the closure of 348 schools.[1]
In 2021, the Ministry of Education reported 126 incidents of school arson between January and November 2020.[1]
Utumishi Girls' Academy
Utumishi Girls Academy is a girls' boarding secondary school in Gilgil, Nakuru County. It is located around 120 kilometres (75 mi) northwest of Nairobi.[1] The school is sponsored by the Kenya Police Service and many of its students are children of police officers.[3][4] Police stated that the fire originated on the first floor of a two-storey dormitory.[1][2]
Fire
The fire broke out 10 minutes after midnight on 28 May 2026 on the first floor dormitory[1] while some students were asleep.[5] CCTV video footage showed five girls stealthy walking in the first floor dormitory cubicles (cubes) 11 and 13 to allegedly ensure that their school mates were asleep.[5] Footage appears to show them running away from a fire they ignited. Seconds later, two girls allegedly ignited a kerosene fire and threw it inside one cubicle before moving to the adjacent cubicle where they replicated their actions. The suspected arsonists are shown escaping to the ground floor shortly after. [5] According to officials, about 220 students were in the dormitory at the time.[6] Students sleeping in the top floor, were unable to escape as the only door was made inaccessible by the fire, preventing them from using the only staircase.[5] According to Citizen TV, nine bodies were found at the door.[5]
The dormitory housed approximately 220 students and contained 135 bunk beds.[2] Emergency response teams extinguished the blaze at approximately 03:00 local time.[1]
More than 800 students were enrolled at the school at the time of the incident.[1] During the evacuation, several students sustained injuries while attempting to escape. Witnesses reported that some students jumped from upper-floor windows after becoming trapped inside the building.[1][2]
Police commander Masoud Mwinyi stated that some students fled into nearby areas during the confusion and were still being traced on the morning following the fire.[1]
Casualties
The fire killed 16 students and injured 79 others.[1][2]
Most of the injured students were treated and discharged from hospital shortly after the incident.[1][2] Seven students with more serious injuries were transferred to hospitals in Nairobi for specialised treatment.[2]
The bodies of those killed were transferred to a nearby mortuary for preservation and identification through DNA testing.[2]
Investigation
The National Police Service launched an investigation into the cause of the fire. Investigators conducted interviews with students, teachers and other witnesses and carried out a forensic review of CCTV footage.[2][7]
On 29 May, police announced that eight students had been identified as "persons of interest" in connection with the planning and execution of a suspected arson attack.[2] The students were traced to their homes or located within the surrounding area and detained for questioning.[2]
The eight students were among thirty students who were initially recalled by detectives as part of the investigation.[2]
Authorities stated that investigations into the precise cause of the fire remained ongoing.[2]
Aftermath
Following the fire, parents and relatives gathered at the school seeking information about students affected by the incident.[1][2] Security around the school was increased as crowds assembled demanding information and accountability.[2]
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen visited the school and offered condolences to the families of those killed.[8] He urged the public to avoid speculation while investigations were underway.[1]
Education Minister Julius Ogamba announced that preliminary findings had identified multiple breaches of safety regulations at the school. According to the ministry, the dormitory was overcrowded and one exit door had been locked, contrary to established safety requirements.[2]
Ogamba dissolved the school's board of management and ordered action against the headteacher. He stated that disciplinary and legal measures would be taken against individuals found to have failed in their responsibilities.[2]
Safety concerns
The fire renewed public debate about safety standards in Kenyan boarding schools.[1][2] Parents and members of the public questioned whether dormitories complied with fire-safety regulations and whether schools were adequately prepared for emergencies.[1]
School fires have frequently been associated with overcrowding, blocked exits and failures to follow fire-safety guidelines.[1][2] The Utumishi Girls Academy fire occurred amid continuing concerns about safety in Kenyan boarding schools following several fatal dormitory fires in previous years.[1][2]