At least 16 students killed in devastating fire at Kenya girls' school dorm

A tragic fire swept through a dormitory at Utumishi Girls School in Gilgil, central Kenya, overnight, resulting in the deaths of at least 16 students. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, May 28, 2026, also left 79 other students injured, according to Education Minister Julius Ogamba.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze, which remains undetermined at this time. Police and emergency services responded to the scene, located about 74 miles northwest of Nairobi, with the Kenya Red Cross also providing support and tracing services for affected families. The school, a government-owned institution, is managed by the Kenya Police Service.

This incident marks another devastating school fire in Kenya, a country that has experienced similar tragedies in the past, some attributed to arson or electrical malfunctions.