Dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Kenya results in fatalities

A dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in the Nakuru region of Kenya occurred in the early hours of Thursday, May 28, 2026. Reports regarding the death toll vary, with some local sources citing 15 fatalities, while others mention 10 or 16. BBC News Africa reports that at least 74 students were admitted to the hospital with injuries. Regional police commander Samuel Ndanyi confirmed that emergency responders were deployed to the site to contain the blaze and evacuate the building. While some reports suggested a 1:00 a.m. start time, the Kenya Red Cross stated the incident was reported at 3:30 a.m. local time. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and no definitive cause has been identified. This incident follows a similar tragedy in 2024, where 21 students died in a fire at a primary school boarding facility in the neighboring Nyeri County.