Fire Ravages Taifa Hall at the University of Nairobi

A fire broke out at the University of Nairobi (UoN) at around midnight on Wednesday, January 15, torching part of the main campus.

According to online reports, the fire razed a section of the Taifa Hall, burning down part of the Gandhi wing. Taifa Hall is an iconic conference and lecture hall at the university and is located near the old administration building on the left of the main entrance to the main campus.

Videos and images seen by Kenyans.co.ke showed the blaze taking over the iconic hall and being visible across campus and from the highway.

The same videos also showed a fire truck at the scene to fight the fire. Reports indicate that the fire has been contained.

According to the Central Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) Stephen Okal, the fire restarted again at around 5 am leading to the fire department being recalled to the scene to contain it again.

He also confirmed that no injuries had been reported.

At the time of publishing this article, the cause of the fire is still to be determined.

Although it is not an anomaly for educational institutions to be on fire in Kenya, it is rare for an institution of higher learning to experience the same.

However, in a similar case a month ago, the Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology (JKUAT) also reported a fire at the institution.

In the early morning of Tuesday, December 10, a fire broke out at one of the students’ hostels at the university affecting several students.

According to a report released by the university shortly after the incident, the fire started on the second floor of the hostel and caused damages affecting at least 88 students.

Apart from the property damage, 10 students were also hospitalised following the incident after sustaining minor injuries in the fire.

”The University Management deeply regrets the unfortunate fire incident that affected about eighty-eight (88) students who stayed on the second floor of the hostel,” part of the statement read.

Adding, “The students lost personal effects and other valuables. A few students sustained minor injuries and have been treated in the hospital and released. Only three are currently under observation in the university hospital.”