MURANG’A, Kenya- Emergency response teams were Thursday evening battling a fire that broke out at Gacharage Secondary School in Kandara Ruchu, Murang’a County.
Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata confirmed the incident, saying county fire and rescue teams had been dispatched to the school and were working alongside local community responders to contain the blaze.
“Murang’a County Fire and Rescue teams are on site and actively battling the fire alongside local community responders,” Kang’ata said in a public statement.
The governor assured residents that the safety of students, teachers and nearby residents remained the county government’s top priority.
According to the county government, evacuation procedures were immediately activated after the fire broke out, with all students successfully accounted for.
“The safety of students, staff, and nearby residents is our immediate priority. Evacuation protocols have been activated and all learners have been accounted for,” the statement added.
Authorities said the cause of the fire had not yet been established, noting that a full assessment and investigation would begin once the situation is fully contained.
Kang’ata urged members of the public to avoid the school area to allow emergency teams easier access and appealed to residents not to spread unverified information regarding the incident.
“Please avoid the school area to allow emergency teams clear access. Follow instructions from County officers and National Police on the ground,” he said.
The governor also directed residents to use official county communication platforms, including the MyMuranga App, for emergency inquiries and verified updates.
The incident comes amid heightened national concern over school safety following recent dormitory fire tragedies in Kenyan learning institutions, including the deadly fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil that killed 16 students earlier this week.
