Kenya Red Cross

Day 2: As response efforts continue following the Utumishi Girls Academy fire, Kenya Red Cross remains actively engaged on the ground. We are supporting families with psychosocial services, reunification efforts and coordination with hospitals and authorities. We continue to stand with all those affected.

Meanwhile on @KBCChannel1 Prime Edition, discussions continue on strengthening school safety and fire preparedness in learning institutions.

Kenya Red Cross Occupational & Fire Safety Coordinator Benjamin Mwangi joins tonight’s KTN Prime conversation on the Utumishi Girls fire tragedy and school safety.

With families grappling with shock and pain after the fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Nakuru County, Kenya Red Cross remains present on the ground, standing with students, families, teachers and staff. We are supporting through psychosocial care, first aid and tracing services, helping them cope, receive care and reconnect with loved ones.

Update: So far, 132 students have been affected following the fire incident at Utumishi Girls Academy in Nakuru County, with several evacuated and receiving treatment in various hospitals. Kenya Red Cross continues to support affected students and families through psychosocial support and tracing services as response efforts remain ongoing.

Update: Response efforts are ongoing at Utumishi Girls Academy in Nakuru County following a fire incident. Several students have been evacuated and are receiving treatment in various hospitals. A multi-agency response involving the County Fire Brigade, County Disaster Response Teams, @PoliceKE and Kenya Red Cross remains ongoing. Kenya Red Cross deployed first responders, @EMS_Kenya ambulances, tracing and psychosocial support teams to support affected students and families.

Following a fire incident reported at around 3:30am at Utumishi Girls Academy in Nakuru County, Kenya Red Cross responded to support the ongoing emergency response. Our first responders, @EMS_Kenya ambulance crew and our psychosocial support personnel are currently on the ground supporting affected students alongside other responders and relevant authorities.

Eid Mubarak to our Muslim brothers and sisters.

Flooding along the Tana River continues as water levels at Idsowe Bridge remain high at 5.5 metres, increasing pressure downstream. In Tana River County (Tana Delta), Miliki, Majaliwa and Onido villages in Kipini West are now fully cut off by floodwaters. In Lamu County, Chalaluma village is also completely marooned. Response efforts continue, reaching 2,396 households with shelter and hygiene support, alongside distribution of 143,700 water treatment sachets and support to 10 displacement camps. Medical and nutrition outreaches are also planned for hard-to-reach areas. More communities remain at risk as river levels stay high.

As climate shocks and humanitarian pressures grow, the future of resilience depends on how we finance and scale innovation. At the Science, Technology, Research and Innovation Week #STRIWeek2026, ICHA and Kenya Red Cross convened national conversations on innovative financing and the development of a National Humanitarian Innovation Framework for Kenya. Key outcomes included calls to localize innovative finance models, strengthen knowledge-sharing platforms and establish a multi-stakeholder Technical Working Group to guide the co-development of Kenya’s humanitarian innovation ecosystem.

Urgent Blood Appeal A patient admitted at Nairobi South Hospital urgently needs blood O+. To donate, please call 0712854094

Last week, we hosted @BritishRedCross CEO Béatrice Butsana-Sita and @WWF_UK CEO Tanya Steele in Kwale to see some of the community-led climate resilience initiatives supported through our partnership. From youth groups turning coconut husks into potting bags for tree seedlings, to mangrove and coral reef restoration along the coast, communities are driving real climate solutions on the ground. In Lamu, Kenya Red Cross and @WWF_Kenya are also working with communities to conserve 900 hectares of coastal ecosystems, thanks to funds raised by players of @PostcodeLottery.

Search and rescue efforts are ongoing following a boat capsize incident at Kwa Bruno Channel near the LAPSSET area in Lamu County. Four people have been rescued and taken to hospital, while search efforts continue for four missing persons. The response involves Kenya Red Cross aqua divers, Beach Management Unit and community fishing boats.

Nationwide Public Transport Strike – Day 2 Update. All major roads leading into the city remain operational, with no reports of major disruption or traffic snarl-ups. Limited public transport services have been observed along different routes, with many commuters walking to their destinations. Most schools around the city remain closed, with learners advised to stay at home due to safety concerns. Kenya Red Cross continues to monitor the situation.

Movement has been disrupted in several parts of the country following a nationwide transport sector strike linked to fuel price increases. Affected counties include Nairobi, Mombasa, Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado, Kisumu, Embu, Murang’a and Makueni. Major disruption reported along Thika Road, Kitengela, Rongai, Machakos Junction and North Airport Road, with impacts on public transport, taxis, boda bodas and cargo movement. Kenya Red Cross is monitoring the situation as it evolves.

Urgent Blood Appeal A patient admitted at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital is in urgent need of B- blood. To donate, please call 0728 521 414.