Infographics
History of school tragedies
The latest tragedy struck on May 28, 2026, at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, where 16 students died in a dormitory blaze.
Utumishi Girls Academy
Education and Career
Elimu Working Group demands urgent school safety overhaul after Gilgil fire kills 16 learners
The organisation stressed that schools are expected to provide safe learning spaces where children can grow and develop without fear, noting that parents rely on education authorities and school administrations to ensure strong protection systems are in place before admission.
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DCP demands Murkomen's resignation, Ogamba's censure over Utumishi Girls fire tragedy
Speaking during a media briefing in Nairobi on Thursday, DCP Secretary General John Methu criticised government response mechanisms, arguing that repeated school disasters reflect systemic failure in emergency preparedness and oversight.
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Utumishi Girls fire: Parents urged to use hotline '1199' as 16 students die in Gilgil tragedy
According to the school management, Utumishi Girls’ Academy has a total population of 815 girls. Out of these, 808 were present at the institution at the time of the tragedy, while seven were away for different reasons.
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Utumishi Girls fire: Government urges calm, warns against sharing disturbing images
Mwaura confirmed that students who were injured had already been taken to nearby health facilities for treatment, while efforts were still underway to establish the whereabouts and safety of all learners affected by the incident.
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Ruto leads nation in mourning after tragic Utumishi Girls Academy fire
President William Ruto and other leaders mourn after a fire broke out in a dormitory at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil. Police, firefighters and Kenya Red Cross teams continue rescue as authorities investigate the cause.
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“Some parents have fainted” as Utumishi Girls Academy dorm fire tragedy unfolds
Parents who arrived at the school were met with distressing scenes as efforts to account for all learners continued. One guardian described how students struggled to escape the burning dormitory and how families were left without clear information on the full extent of the tragedy.
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Kalonzo calls for action after Utumishi Girls school fire claims students’ lives
Authorities have not yet confirmed the full scale of casualties or the cause of the fire, with investigations still ongoing. The incident has renewed concern over safety standards in boarding schools across the country, which have previously experienced similar deadly fires.
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Students feared dead in early morning fire at Utumishi Girls Academy
According to a statement issued by the humanitarian organization, its staffs have been dispatched to aid the victims and cooperate with the authorities while carrying out investigations regarding the cause of the fire.