JKUAT Hostel Fire Sends Seven Students to Hospital.
On Tuesday, December 10, confusion erupted at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) after a fire broke out in one of the hostels while students were asleep. The incident, which occurred at 3 a.m., forced students to flee for safety when Hall 5 was engulfed in flames.
Seven students sustained injuries during the early morning incident. They were promptly rushed to the hospital by the university management for further treatment. Firefighters and disaster management teams arrived swiftly at the scene, successfully containing the blaze before it could spread to nearby buildings.
This marked the second consecutive time that a fire had affected an accommodation facility at the institution, raising concerns about inadequate intervention measures. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, with detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations actively involved.
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Videos shared online showed massive flames and thick smoke billowing from the affected hostel as students watched in disbelief. Some students were heard shouting in distress while others attempted rescue operations to save their peers and belongings.
Alleged Warning and Unverified Claims
Circulating on social media was an alleged warning letter suggesting that the university administration had been forewarned about the incident. The letter, reportedly authored by suspected arsonists, claimed that the attack targeted 5,000 students. However, these claims could not be independently verified at the time of publication.
Efforts to reach the university management were unfruitful. Calls were redirected to the Registrar, who did not address inquiries. Sources indicated that university officials were engaged in a high-level management meeting and would only provide responses later in the day.
At the time of publication, the extent of the damage remained unclear. Authorities continued to assess the aftermath, while investigations aimed to uncover the cause of the fire and determine potential accountability.
| Key Details | Summary |
|---|---|
| Date and Time | December 10, 3 a.m. |
| Location | Hall 5, JKUAT |
| Injuries | Seven students injured |
| Emergency Response | Firefighters contained the blaze; students rushed to hospital |
| Unverified Warning Letter | Alleged arson targeting 5,000 students; claims not independently verified |
| Investigation Status | Ongoing investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations |
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