A fire broke out on Sunday morning at St. Michael Girls Boarding Comprehensive School in Kerugoya, razing down a dormitory that accommodated 60 pupils.
Residents living near the school reported hearing a loud explosion at around 9 a.m., moments before flames engulfed the building.
Kerugoya Location Chief, Justus Mwai, who was among the first officials to arrive at the scene, immediately alerted county firefighters who later contained the blaze. He confirmed that none of the pupils were inside the dormitory at the time of the fire.
“No student was injured. All the children are safe, and we urge parents to remain calm as authorities work closely with the school administration,” Mwai said.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, though initial reports suggest an electrical fault could have triggered the incident. Detectives have already launched investigations to establish the actual cause.
Parents and community members who rushed to the school expressed relief that no lives were lost, though they raised concerns over the safety of boarding facilities. The dormitory was completely destroyed, with mattresses, personal belongings, and school uniforms reduced to ashes.
School administrators are expected to meet education officials and county disaster response teams to discuss immediate interventions, including temporary accommodation for the affected pupils.
The incident adds to a worrying trend of fires in boarding schools across the country, often linked to electrical faults, poor infrastructure, or arson. Authorities have repeatedly urged schools to invest in modern safety equipment, including smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, to prevent such disasters.
As investigations continue, parents have been assured that learning at St. Michael Girls will continue uninterrupted.
