Red Cross: 47 school fire incidents reported since January 2026, 187 injured
By Emmanuel Rono, June 12, 2026The Kenya Red Cross has reported that school fires remain a key safety concern in the country, with the Kenya Red Cross reporting that 47 schools have experienced fire incidents since January 2026.
According to the statistics by the humanitarian agency on Friday, June 12, 2026, 16 of the incidents occurred after the tragic fire at Utumishi Academy, raising concerns over the effectiveness of safety measures in learning institutions.
The fires have left 187 people injured, with 132 of the casualties recorded during the Utumishi Academy incident alone. “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 stated.
“A total of 187 people have been treated for injuries, including 132 from the Utumishi incident alone.”
The statistics highlight the growing need for schools to strengthen fire prevention and emergency response measures to protect learners and staff. The Kenya Red Cross stressed that every learner deserves a safe environment to study, warning that school safety can no longer be treated as an afterthought.
“Every learner deserves a safe place to learn. School safety cannot wait, ” Kenya Red Cross said.
Some of the schools affected
Among other schools affected after the Utumishi Girls’ Academy are Gacharage Secondary School in Murang’a County and St Joseph Seminary Boys’ School in Nakuru County.
While none of the subsequent incidents resulted in fatalities, there have been renewed calls for urgent inspections of school infrastructure and dormitory safety measures.
The Kenya Red Cross emphasised that the recurring incidents serve as a reminder of the urgent need to strengthen fire prevention strategies and safety protocols in educational institutions to protect learners and staff.
Utumishi fire tragedy
16 students died following the dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba stated that 79 students were injured.
According to the Kenya Red Cross, emergency teams were deployed after the blaze broke out at the school, with at least 15 students initially feared dead.
Police later confirmed that the death toll is estimated at about 16, while injured students were rushed to various medical facilities with varying degrees of injuries and are reported to be in stable condition.