Red Cross: 47 school fires, 187 injured since January

The Kenya Red Cross has raised concern over a rising number of school fire incidents across the country, revealing that 47 learning institutions have reported fires since January this year.

The humanitarian organisation said 16 of the incidents were recorded after the deadly fire at Utumishi Girls Academy, raising fresh concerns over the effectiveness of safety measures in schools.

According to the latest data released by the Kenya Red Cross, a total of 187 people have been treated for fire-related injuries this year, with 132 of them linked to the Utumishi tragedy that claimed the lives of 16 students.

“School fires continue to be a menace. Since January, 47 schools have reported fire incidents, with 16 occurring after the tragic Utumishi Academy fire,” the Kenya Red Cross said.

The agency warned that school safety requires urgent attention, emphasising that every learner has a right to a secure and conducive environment for education.

“Every learner deserves a safe place to learn. School safety cannot wait,” it stated.

The data further showed that schools have faced disruptions beyond fires, with 104 institutions affected by fires, student unrest and other safety concerns since January.

Of these, 56 schools were closed due to student unrest, accounting for 54 per cent of the total disruptions, while 32 schools suspended learning as a precautionary measure over security concerns.

The figures paint a worrying picture of the challenges facing schools, even as authorities continue to investigate recent incidents and strengthen measures aimed at protecting learners.

The renewed concerns come in the wake of the Utumishi Girls Academy dormitory fire in Gilgil, Nakuru county, where 16 students lost their lives and dozens of others sustained injuries.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba previously said 79 students were injured in the tragedy, with those affected receiving treatment at various health facilities.

The Kenya Red Cross said the recurring incidents should serve as a wake-up call for schools, communities and relevant authorities to strengthen fire prevention systems, improve emergency preparedness and ensure learners are protected from avoidable disasters.

The organisation urged stakeholders to prioritise school safety, noting that protecting children in learning institutions must remain a collective responsibility.