Fire in Kenya school dormitory kills 17 students

The dormitory housed over 150 boys, all aged 14 and under, according to Commissioner Murugu and the education ministry.

President William Ruto called the incident “devastating”, and has ordered an investigation into the cause of the blaze. “Those responsible will be held to account,” he wrote on social media platform X.

Ruto’s deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, urged school administrators to ensure that safety guidelines set by the education ministry for boarding schools are strictly followed.

Fires in Kenyan boarding schools are not uncommon, often due to arson fuelled by drug abuse and overcrowding, according to a recent education ministry report quoted by AP. Despite these risks, many students choose to stay in school dormitories, as parents believe it allows them more time to study without the burden of long commutes.