Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, has been closed indefinitely following a tragic dormitory fire that claimed the lives of 16 students and left dozens injured.

The fire is reported to have started shortly after 12:45 am, but authorities say it was only formally reported around 3 am, raising concerns about response time.At the time of the incident, the school had a total population of 808 learners.According to government officials, 79 students were injured in the incident.Out of these, 71 have already been treated and discharged, while seven remain in hospital in stable condition.Parents who confirmed that their children were safe were allowed to take them home, as the government moves to manage the aftermath of the tragedy.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen stated that investigations are ongoing, with detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), forensic experts, and government chemists working together to establish the cause of the fire.DNA testing is also being conducted to help identify some of the victims, as several families are still searching for their children.Murkomen also raised concern over the spread of misinformation on social media, noting that it complicated both rescue and identification efforts.Due to public pressure and widespread speculation, the government was forced to release the official death toll earlier than planned.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the investigations will also assess whether the school complied with national boarding school safety standards.

He reminded the public that the government had previously shut down hundreds of non-compliant schools after a similar tragedy in Endarasha and emphasised the need for strict adherence to safety regulations.

Meanwhile, the government has activated a toll-free helpline to support affected families and is providing counselling services to help them cope with the loss and trauma.