One relative of a student at the school emotionally questioned the emergency response at the dormitory, saying more lives could have been saved if all exits had been opened in time during the fire outbreak.
“Ningeomba shule iweke matron wawili kwa sababu wakati matron alifungua mlango moja, mlango ingine ilikuwa imefungwa.
Kama milango yote ingekuwa imefunguliwa, hatungeweza kuwa na manusura wengi,” the relative said.
The remarks came as devastated parents and guardians gathered outside the school seeking information about their children after the overnight inferno that broke out in one of the dormitories.
The fire is reported to have started at around 1am on Thursday, May 28, 2026, causing panic among students who were asleep when the flames spread through parts of the building.
Rescue efforts continued throughout Thursday morning as emergency responders, police officers and medical teams worked to account for all students and assist survivors.
The emotional account by the relative has now raised fresh concerns about emergency preparedness and safety procedures in boarding schools, especially during night-time emergencies when students rely heavily on staff guidance to evacuate safely.
Parents at the scene expressed frustration and grief as they waited for official communication from authorities and school administrators. Some questioned whether enough measures had been put in place to handle emergencies within the dormitories.
Witnesses said there were chaotic scenes during the fire, with frightened students trying to escape through smoke-filled corridors as the blaze intensified.
Authorities had not publicly responded to the claims regarding the dormitory doors by the time of publication. Investigations into the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the response were expected to continue.
The school restricted access to the compound, allowing only parents and guardians into the premises as identification and accountability processes went on.
Emergency teams from the Kenya Red Cross, firefighters and police officers remained at the school for several hours following the incident. Ambulances were also stationed at the institution to assist the injured and transport victims for treatment.
Leaders and members of the public have continued to send messages of condolence to families affected by the tragedy, which has shocked the country and reignited conversations around student safety in boarding schools.
Education stakeholders are now expected to push for stricter dormitory safety measures, including proper emergency exits, adequate supervision and improved evacuation protocols in schools across the country.