A school dormitory fire incident occurred in Kenya, currently resulting in 17 deaths and 13 injuries

On September 6, 2024, the police in Nairobi, Kenya reported that a fire broke out in a school dormitory in the country, killing 17 students and seriously burning 13 people. The police are worried that the death toll may further increase.

On Thursday night, a fire broke out at the Shamba Ndala Sha Primary School in Nyeri County. Police spokesperson Resila Wanyango said that the cause of the fire is under investigation. The students at this school are no more than 14 years old. The dormitory on fire is home to more than 150 boys aged 10 to 14. This school is a private school with 824 students. It is located in the central highlands of the country, 200 kilometers north of the capital Nairobi. Wooden structures are common in the area.

Nyeri County Governor Pius Murugu and the Ministry of Education report pointed out that due to the fact that most of the buildings are made of wood, the fire spread rapidly. Governor Mutahi Kahiga said that the rain in the area has caused muddy roads, hindering rescue work. Anxious parents are waiting in grief at the school. John Ruquaro said that his 11-year-old grandson is missing and was not found in the local hospital either.

Belio Kipsang, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Education, said that the government is working with the school management to count the number of boarding students and requesting the support of parents and the community. President William Ruto called this news "shocking" and instructed relevant departments to thoroughly investigate the incident and hold those responsible accountable. Deputy Rigathi Gachagua urged school administrators to ensure compliance with the Ministry of Education's safety guidelines for boarding schools.

According to the Ministry of Education's report, school fires are common in boarding schools in Kenya, often caused by arson due to drug use and overcrowding or students protesting against the amount of homework and living conditions. In 2017, a school fire in Nairobi killed 10 high school students; in 2001, a dormitory fire in Machakos County killed 67 students. The Ministry of Education's guidelines recommend that dormitories should be spacious and have enough doors and emergency doors, windows should not be fitted with grilles, and be equipped with fire extinguishers and fire alarms. It is not yet clear whether Shamba School complies with these guidelines. The area near the dormitory is still cordoned off.