A section of Moi Girls’ High School Nairobi parents has responded to the news of an overnight fire by making their way to the school and camping at the gate.
In a video shared on TikTok today, Tuesday, January 21, 2025, by user @Runinga ya Langata, the parents were seen addressing the press and lamenting about being denied entry into the school to check on the safety of their children.
One parent, speaking to the media amid the commotion from other parents camped at the gate, complained that the school’s administration had not bothered to update them despite knowing they were there.
He said they had seen media reports claiming all the students had escaped unhurt, but they needed to confirm the information for themselves.
“We want to go inside, see, and ascertain that our kids are safe. We are deeply concerned. We just need reassurance that our children are okay,” he said.
Restriction
The parent went on to question why the school was refusing them entry despite them being the students’ parents. He also suggested that if the school couldn’t let them in, the administration should come outside to address their concerns.
“This management—if they can’t let us in, they should come out, speak to us, and assure us there’s nothing to worry about,” he added.
In the video, an ambulance from St. John’s was seen with its sirens blaring in the background as more parents arrived, escalating the drama at the school’s entrance.
Another parent, speaking to a local TV station, said they had been waiting for a long time and were overwhelmed with anxiety, especially with the visible presence of ambulances.
“Tunaona ambulance tu na hatujui. Pia, moto tumeiona kutoka huku. Shule watuingize tujionee. (We can see ambulances, but we don’t know why. We also saw the fire from here. The school should let us in to confirm for ourselves),” the parent said.
Fire breaks out
According to the Kenya Red Cross, the fire broke out last night in one of the dormitories, though the cause remains unclear.
Videos circulating online showed thick smoke billowing from the dormitory before red flames erupted, creating panic.
The Red Cross reported that property had been damaged but emphasized that evacuations were carried out promptly and no student sustained injuries.
The Nairobi Fire Brigade also arrived swiftly and managed to contain the fire.
Painful reminder
The harrowing incident has, however, brought back painful memories of a 2017 tragedy at the school, where 10 girls lost their lives in a similar fire.
In 2021, a court ruled on a case that had been pursued by parents for years, revealing that the 2017 fire was started by a 14-year-old girl attempting to pressure her parents into transferring her to another school.
By the time the case was concluded, the girl had turned 18 and was sentenced to a five-year jail term.
