From Kyanguli To Utumishi: Kihika Calls For Tough Action On Recurring Deadly School Fires

By Suleiman Mbatiah

Governor Susan Kihika has called for a tough national conversation following recurring deadly attacks in schools, saying the latest dormitory fire tragedy exposed urgent concerns about student safety, accountability, and institutional oversight.

Kihika’s remarks followed the deadly fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, where 16 students died and dozens sustained injuries after flames engulfed a dormitory during the night.

Authorities said the fire erupted shortly after midnight as more than 200 students slept inside the dormitory, triggering panic as learners attempted to escape through windows and corridors.

Investigators, education officials, and police have since launched extensive inquiries into possible safety compliance failures, dormitory conditions, emergency preparedness measures, and staff conduct before the incident.

Her statement came after surveillance footage allegedly showed students setting mattresses ablaze near dormitory exits while their classmates slept. Seven key suspects have since been arrested and are expected to be arraigned on Tuesday.

“This has to be one of the toughest videos to watch. The last few days have been tough, but to actually see these girls set the dormitory on fire while their classmates and friends slept is the most horrific thing I have ever seen,” Kihika said.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said preliminary investigations had identified serious concerns regarding adherence to safety procedures, while cautioning that inquiries remain ongoing.

Government officials reported that at least 80 students were injured during the disaster, although most were later discharged after receiving treatment for burns and trauma.

The government has since disbanded the school’s board of management and announced disciplinary and legal action against personnel found responsible for negligence or regulatory breaches.

Officials disclosed that preliminary findings suggested some staff members had received warnings about possible unrest but allegedly failed to intervene before the tragedy unfolded.

The incident has renewed debate over conditions in boarding schools after authorities recorded numerous school fires nationwide, many previously linked to student unrest, disciplinary disputes, and safety shortcomings.

Kenya’s history of deadly school fires stretches back decades, with investigations repeatedly identifying locked exits, student unrest, poor infrastructure, and inadequate emergency response systems as contributing factors.

Over the past three decades, at least 175 students have died in school fire incidents across Kenya, highlighting persistent safety failures despite repeated calls for reforms.

“We must have a tough conversation in this country. We have a big problem. My heart goes out to the families of the 16 girls who lost their lives,” Kihika said in an emotional Facebook post.

One of the earliest major incidents occurred in 1991 at St. Kizito Secondary School in Meru, where 19 students died following unrest at the institution.

In 1997, a dormitory fire at Bombolulu Girls Secondary School in Kwale County claimed 26 lives after students reportedly became trapped inside overcrowded sleeping quarters.

Two years later, another school fire at Nyeri High School killed four students, further intensifying concerns about safety standards in boarding facilities nationwide.

The deadliest school fire in Kenya’s history occurred in March 2001 at Kyanguli Secondary School in Machakos County, where 67 students died after a dormitory was set ablaze.

Court proceedings later linked the Kyanguli tragedy to arson, with investigations indicating that students allegedly set mattresses on fire following disciplinary disagreements within the school.

The scale of the disaster prompted nationwide reviews of school safety policies, dormitory design standards, emergency preparedness requirements, and student welfare management systems.

Despite reforms introduced after Kyanguli, fatal incidents continued to occur across the country, exposing challenges in consistently implementing and enforcing recommended safety measures.

In 2010, a dormitory fire at Endarasha Boys Secondary School in Nyeri County killed two students and renewed scrutiny of conditions in boarding schools.

Another deadly incident occurred in 2012 at St. Theresa’s Asumbi Girls Boarding Primary School in Homa Bay County, where eight learners lost their lives.

Investigators examining the Asumbi tragedy reportedly linked the blaze to an electrical fault, highlighting infrastructure deficiencies alongside recurring concerns about student safety.

Three years later, a fire at Stephjoy Boys High School in Kiambu County killed two students, adding to the growing list of school fire tragedies in Kenya.

A major turning point came in 2017 when a dormitory fire at Moi Girls School in Nairobi killed 10 students during the night.

Investigators concluded that the Moi Girls tragedy resulted from arson, leading to criminal proceedings and renewed national discussions about student behaviour and supervision.

Public pressure following the incident prompted government agencies to strengthen inspections, safety audits, emergency drills, and compliance monitoring across boarding schools.

In September 2024, another devastating dormitory fire struck Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County, killing 21 boys as they slept.

Authorities investigating the Endarasha tragedy examined allegations of overcrowding, emergency response challenges, and possible shortcomings in compliance with safety requirements.

Education experts, lawmakers, and child welfare advocates have repeatedly argued that periodic inspections alone are insufficient without sustained investment in infrastructure, counselling services, and risk management systems.