Emergency rescue groups are looking the dormitory, an official mentioned.
15 ladies are feared to have died (Picture: Kenya Police)
A hearth tore via a dormitory at a ladies’ college in a single day, killing at the least 15 college students, police mentioned on Thursday. A horror blaze erupted at round 1am at Utumishi Women’ Academy Senior College in Gilgil, Nakuru County, in Kenya’s Rift Valley.
Gilgil Police mentioned at the least 74 college students had additionally been injured and the hearth had been contained, based on a police report seen by Reuters. The reason for the hearth was not identified, it mentioned. Footage aired by Citizen Tv confirmed damaged window panes and smoke-stained partitions. The hearth broke out within the Meline Waithera Block dormitory, which was housing 220 pupils, most of them finding out in Grade 10, based on experiences, making them between 15 and 17 years previous.
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Round 50 law enforcement officials rushed to the scene, whereas searches had been carried out across the college for college students who could have fled when the hearth broke out.
Masoud Mwinyi, a senior police commander, informed reporters on the college: “It’s a distressing and saddening state of affairs.
“As we converse now, we’re combing the realm. Out of worry and anxiousness, many college students moved exterior, and this occurred at evening.
“Our crew of almost fifty officers is looking the encircling areas to determine who should be on the market.” The hearth broke out at round 1am native time, with a number of college students being handled for accidents within the hospital.
A police investigation into the incident has been launched.
“One factor we need to guarantee dad and mom and the nation is that investigations began instantly. The Directorate of Legal Investigations (DCI) has already dispatched a crew, and they’re at the moment on the bottom,” added Mwinyi.
Kenya’s Purple Cross are “at the moment on the bottom supporting affected college students”. Alongside their first responders the humanitarian charity despatched an E-Plus ambulance crew aswell as their psychosocial assist personnel.
Kalonzo Musyoka, who has beforehand served because the vp of Kenya, wrote on X that he joins “all Kenyans in mourning the dear lives of the younger ladies taken”.
He added: “They had been daughters, sisters, and associates; valuable ladies stuffed with desires, stuffed with promise, lively. At present, their households are shattered, and we weep along with them.
“To the bereaved households: there are not any phrases satisfactory for this second. I stand with you, and I maintain you in my coronary heart and in my prayers.”
STATEMENT BY HE DR STEPHEN KALONZO MUSYOKA
On the Tragic Fireplace at Utumishi Women Academy, Gilgil
With a coronary heart weighed down by profound grief, I be a part of all Kenyans in mourning the dear lives of the younger ladies taken from us within the devastating hearth at Utumishi Women Academy in…
— Kalonzo Musyoka (@skmusyoka) Could 28, 2026
Musyoka, chief of the opposition Wiper Patriotic Entrance get together, additionally known as on the federal government to forestall related tragedies occurring sooner or later.
He mentioned: “At present, because the political management gathers for the Nationwide Prayer Breakfast, I name upon them to not let in the present day’s prayers finish in that corridor. Allow them to translate into pressing and decisive motion.
“As leaders, we can be judged not by what we mentioned in prayer this morning, however by what we did for the least of those within the days that comply with.
“Allow us to honour these younger lives not merely with tears and tributes, however with motion that ensures no different household endures this insufferable ache.”
An announcement from the Kenya Police Service mentioned: “Deputy Inspector Common of Police Eliud Lagat is at Utumishi Women Senior College in Gilgil, Nakuru County, the place police are main rescue and emergency response efforts following a tragic dormitory hearth by which various college students have sadly misplaced their lives.
“A number of different college students had been injured and are receiving remedy because the Nationwide Police Service, working alongside the Kenya Defence Forces, Ministry of Schooling, Inside, The County Authorities of Nakuru, the NGAO, The Kenya Redcross and different emergency groups, continues with search, rescue and assist operations.
“We’re working to account for all college students and assist affected households throughout this troublesome time.”
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