The University of Nairobi (UoN) acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Margaret Jesang’ Hutchinson has issued an update on the fire incident that occurred on Wednesday night, January 15, 2025.
In a statement on Friday, January 17, 2025, Hutchinson said that all students and staff at the institution are safe and accounted for adding that finance and student records housed in the affected building remain intact.
In addition, the acting VC disclosed that the inferno destroyed part of the University’s iconic Gandhi Wing which houses the Senior Common Room, the Arzik Restaurant, and the Vice Chancellor’s parlour.
“We want to inform the public about the fire incident that occurred on the night of January 15, 2025, at approximately 10:30 PM, and extensively destroyed part of the Iconic Gandhi Wing including the Senior Common Room, The Arzik Restaurant, and the Vice Chancellor’s parlour.
“The safety and well-being of our students and staff is our utmost priority, and we are relieved to confirm that everyone in our community is safe and accounted for. Importantly, we want to emphasize that all finance and student records housed in the affected building remain intact, as do the staff offices,” part of Hutchinson’s statement reads.
She further said that investigations on the cause of the fire and assessment of the cost of damage are underway adding that the management is committed to ensuring the planned end-of-semester exams will go on as scheduled.
“Investigations on the cause of the fire and assessment of the cost of damage have already commenced. We shall continue to update you promptly and transparently.
“We are committed to ensuring that the core business of the University—teaching, learning, and research—continues without interruption. This also includes already scheduled continuous assessment tests and end-of-semester exams,” she added.
Night fire
The Wednesday night fire that caused huge damage to the building is said to have started in the kitchen of a restaurant within the structure before it spread out to other areas.
According to the authorities, no injuries or fatalities were reported despite the severity of the blaze. The hall was empty when the fire broke out, and the few staff within were safely evacuated.
BREAKING NEWS: A fire has broken out in part of the University of Nairobi. Firefighters are currently on the scene working to contain the fire. pic.twitter.com/FP0zJYbHLy
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) January 15, 2025
