A dawn hostel fire on Tuesday at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology left several students injured, the university has said.
Acting chief corporate communications officer, Patrick Amunavi, said in a statement the fire that broke out at 4am affected the second floor of Hall 5 at the university's Juja main campus.
"The university management deeply regrets the unfortunate fire incident that affected about 88 students who stay on the second floor of the hostel. The students lost personal effects and other valuables," Amunavi said.
"It is unfortunate that such an incident occurred. Few students sustained minor injuries and have been treated in hospital and released. Only three are currently under observation in the university hospital," he added.
Amunavi said the cause of the fire was yet to be established by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Juja, who have started investigations.
He said students and staff will be progressively updated as the probe continues.
Amunavi said necessary arrangements have been made to provide support to students who were affected by the fire, including offering them counseling services and alternative accommodation.
University programmes and activities will continue as per the semester schedule, the communication officer added.
Amunavi extended appreciation to the first responders including the JKUAT student fire marshals, the fire fighters from Kiambu county, staff and the Juja community, whose prompt response helped mitigate the adverse effects of the inferno.
Going forward, he reaffirmed the university's commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of students while within the institution and elsewhere.
"In the interim, the university management wishes to reassure all students, parents, guardians, and other stakeholders that the safety and security of the students in JKUAT is of utmost priority.
"The university therefore has enhanced security surveillance measures in and around the institution to ensure that all students and staff are safe," Amunavi said.
The country has this year experienced a series of fire incidences in learning institutions, the worst being at the Endarasha Hillside Academy in Kieni, Nyeri county where a dormitory fire claimed the lives of 21 boys on the night of September 5.
