A double tragedy has struck Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, after 16 students were confirmed dead following a devastating dormitory fire, even as the mother of one of the learners reportedly died in a road crash while rushing to the school.

Faith Irine, the mother of a Form Four student at the school, is said to have died in a grisly accident as she travelled to Gilgil after receiving news of the deadly fire. Her death deepened the anguish surrounding the tragedy, which has left families shattered, scores of students injured and the country demanding answers over how learners were trapped in a burning dormitory.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the fire broke out at about 12:45 AM in one of the school dormitories, which was completely destroyed. He confirmed that the school had a total population of 815 girls, with 809 present at the time of the incident, while eight were away for various reasons.

“Unfortunately, we lost learners,” Ogamba said, confirming that 16 students had died and that the process of identifying the victims was underway.

The CS said 79 students were injured and taken to hospital, where 71 were treated and discharged. Seven remained admitted, with some of the seriously injured airlifted to Kenyatta National Hospital and Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital for specialized treatment.

Dr. Collins Malalu, a resident medical officer at St. Joseph Rift Valley Hospital, confirmed that seven students had been airlifted to KUTRRH and KNH. At the facility, at least 69 students were admitted in the morning, with 61 discharged after receiving treatment for minor injuries. One student was reportedly discharged at the request of the parent.

The tragedy has now taken a possible criminal turn after survivors alleged that the fire may have been deliberately started by a group of Form Three students, who allegedly set a mattress ablaze in the middle of Meline Waithera dormitory. However, security authorities have cautioned against premature conclusions, saying detectives have opened investigations to establish the exact cause of the fire.

Survivors have also claimed that the dormitory was locked from inside at the time the fire broke out, and that the keys could not be traced immediately. According to the accounts, precious time was lost as rescuers struggled to break the doors and create access to the burning dormitory.

That detail is likely to form a central part of the investigation, as authorities seek to establish whether safety protocols were followed, whether emergency exits were accessible and whether school staff responded in time to save the trapped learners.

Following the incident, Ogamba ordered the closure of Utumishi Girls Academy to allow investigators to comb through the scene, record statements and determine the circumstances that led to the deadly blaze.

The closure also paves the way for counselling and family tracing, as parents continue waiting for official confirmation on the identities of the victims.

By Thursday, the identification process was still ongoing, with government officials expected to support families through the painful process.

The Utumishi fire has once again placed school safety under sharp scrutiny, reviving painful memories of previous dormitory tragedies in Kenya. Boarding schools are required to maintain clear exits, accessible doors, fire extinguishers, emergency response procedures and supervision systems, especially at night when learners are most vulnerable.

President William Ruto has condoled with the families who have lost loved ones in the fire tragedy.

“Our hearts and prayers are with the families who have lost their beloved daughters in the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil. No words can truly ease the pain of losing young lives filled with promise, hope, and dreams for the future. As a nation, we mourn with the parents, guardians, teachers, and fellow students who are enduring this unimaginable tragedy,” the president said.

As detectives begin piecing together the evidence, the tragedy has shifted from a school fire to a national test of accountability.

Sixteen students are dead, dozens are injured, a mother has also lost her life while rushing to her child, and Kenya is once again confronting the devastating cost of weak safety systems in learning institutions.

Follow our social media pages for breaking news updates, in-depth stories and videos.

news@nairobilens.ke