The government released all students of Utumishi Girls’ Academy in Gilgil to their parents by midday on Thursday after a devastating dormitory fire killed 16 learners and left dozens injured.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba made the announcement outside the school as distraught parents gathered at the gates, waiting for news about their children following one of the country’s deadliest school fire tragedies in recent years.

“We also released learners with their parents who were here during the course of the day,” Mr Ogamba told journalists on Thursday morning. “The cause of the fire was yet to be known, with investigations ongoing.”

The fire broke out shortly after midnight at one of the school’s dormitories, sending students fleeing in panic as emergency teams rushed to the scene. Authorities said the blaze started at around 12:45am and was brought under control by about 3am.

According to the Education Ministry, Utumishi Girls’ Academy had a student population of 815 learners. At the time of the fire, 808 students were in school while seven were away at home.

Mr Ogamba said 16 students had been confirmed dead, while 79 others sustained injuries during the incident. Of those injured, 71 had already been treated and discharged from hospital by Thursday morning.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this school has 815 girls. At the time of the incident, 808 were in school; seven of the girls were at home for various reasons,” he said.

The government also activated hotline number 1199 to help account for students who may have left the school with relatives or guardians in the confusion that followed the tragedy.

“Investigations were ongoing, and there was a hotline number 1199 to which we asked the parents to keep reporting, especially those who left with their kids when they came earlier,” Mr Ogamba said. “That hotline number would also be available for counselling.”

Outside the school, scenes of grief and anxiety unfolded throughout the morning as parents, some in tears, waited for confirmation about the safety of their children. Police officers restricted access to the compound as investigators and rescue teams continued operations inside the school.

Officials from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and forensic experts launched inquiries into the cause of the blaze. Authorities had not yet indicated whether the fire may have resulted from an electrical fault, negligence or any other factor.

Mr Ogamba urged the public to avoid speculation as investigations continued.

“Let’s not be speculative at this stage,” he said. “We have a school safety manual that all schools adhere to. Let’s wait and see if the manual was adhered to after the investigation.”

The tragedy reignited concerns over dormitory safety standards in Kenyan boarding schools, particularly around emergency exits, overcrowding and preparedness during night-time emergencies.

President William Ruto joined the nation in mourning the victims earlier on Thursday, describing the deaths as heartbreaking and promising government support for affected families.

“Our hearts and prayers are with the families who have lost their beloved daughters in the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil,” the President said in a statement.

As investigations continued, families across Nakuru and beyond waited for answers about how a school night turned into a national tragedy.