Fire breaks out at University of Nairobi’s Taifa Halle causing extensive damage
Police were quickly mobilised to secure the area and prevent theft while firefighters worked tirelessly to control the flames.
A major fire broke out at the University of Nairobi's Taifa Hall on Wednesday night, causing extensive damage to the building which also houses some administrative offices.
The blaze reportedly started in the kitchen of a restaurant within the hall before quickly spreading to other sections.
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Videos posted on social media showed the scale of the fire, with thick smoke and bright flames visible from across the university campus.
The fire prompted swift action from emergency teams, though it also triggered a wave of looters who attempted to take advantage of the chaos.
Police were quickly mobilised to secure the area and prevent theft while firefighters worked tirelessly to control the flames.
No injuries have been reported so far, according to the police. However, the property of an undisclosed value was destroyed.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are currently underway.
University officials, including the head of communications John Orindi, promised to release more details on the incident as they become available.
"This is a huge loss for the university. The building is historic, and its damage marks a significant setback for the institution," said a university spokesperson.
The timing of the fire, just days before the university's exams were to begin, has raised concerns among students and lecturers.
Kenyans online expressed their shock and concern, with many calling on the authorities to take swift action to prevent further damage.
Some users also pointed out the similarity of the fire to an incident at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) a month ago, where a fire in a student hostel destroyed property damage and some students sustained minor injuries.
That incident affected several students when a blaze broke out on the second floor of one of the university's hostels.
The fire caused extensive property damage, affecting 88 students, and led to 10 students being hospitalised with minor injuries.
The university management expressed regret over the incident and assured that all necessary steps would be taken to prevent similar occurrences.
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