Fire razes part of University of Nairobi’s Gandhi Wing

A fire broke out in the iconic Gandhi Wing of the University of Nairobi on Wednesday night, causing extensive damage to parts of the building.

The affected areas include the senior common room, the restaurant and the vice-chancellor’s parlour.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, UON Corporate Communications Director John Orindi confirmed that no deaths or injuries had been reported.

“We have no fatalities or deaths as we await further updates. There is still a lot of smoke, but the back of the building remains intact. We are assessing whether the philosophical area has been affected,” Mr Orindi said.

Mr Orindi described the incident as an accident, pending investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

He reassured stakeholders, including students, lecturers and parents, that academic activities would continue uninterrupted during the investigation.

“The situation is under control, and the fire has not disrupted academic activities. Our students have reported to campus as scheduled, and they are beginning their exams today,” he said.

“Despite the unfortunate incident, we are committed to ensuring that the examination process continues smoothly without any interruptions. Measures have been put in place to support both students and staff during this period, and we remain focused on maintaining the academic calendar as planned.”

Videos shared on social media showed the intensity of the blaze, with smoke and flames visible from across the campus.

Further details on the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage are expected once the investigation is complete.

“The philosophical section holds significant academic and historical value. Their (DCI) findings will be crucial in helping us understand what happened and in preventing such incidents in the future,” he said.