Kenya boarding school fire sparks safety concerns

A fire that killed at least 16 students at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, central Kenya, has renewed concerns about safety standards in the country's boarding schools. 

The blaze swept through a dormitory at the school, leaving several other students injured. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine what caused the fire.

Videos from the scene on Thursday, May 28, showed students, parents and relatives gathering at the school grounds following the tragedy. Some were seen comforting one another, while others confronted officials as they sought answers.

Kenya Red Cross Secretary General Dr Ahmed Idris said efforts were focused on helping families identify victims and cope with their loss.

"As the process of identifying the children who unfortunately lost their lives is being undertaken, we help, and we continue to support their parents, their relatives, their friends, in that process of grieving, so the psycho support will be here in the next couple of days, to support the families until the time of the burials," he said.

Idris also appealed for families to be allowed to grieve without political interference.

"Any disaster where 16 people lose their lives is extremely sad. It is particularly horrifying when there are 16 people who are young, who are children, and our request to everyone is to allow and facilitate the parents and the affected to mourn without any political elements," he added.

The incident has prompted renewed calls from parents and Kenyans on social media for stronger fire safety measures and improved emergency preparedness in boarding schools across the country.