Night Fire Razes Tharaka University Administration Block

The Tharaka University administration block has been reduced to rubble after a fire broke out on Wednesday evening.
In videos and images seen byKenyans.co.ke, the building, where the media lab is also located, was seen engulfed by heavy orange flames, destroying property worth millions and vital documents.
Fortunately, no casualties were caught in the fire, and no injuries have yet been reported at this time.
The cause of the fire is also yet to be determined, as theories continue to swirl online. Preliminary reports, however, indicated that the fire was caused by faulty electricity.
Investigations have also kicked off to determine the actual cause of the fire.
The incident has further sparked intense criticism of the Tharaka Nithi County government for the delayed response by emergency services, which led the fire to spread for much longer than it should have.
Established in 2017 as a constituent of Chuka University, the institution has been operational for less than 10 years, making it one of Kenya’s youngest universities.
In 2022, it was awarded its charter and has thus been a full-fledged university for three years.
Now, it joins a string of institutions of higher learning that have been recently devastated by fires across the country.
In January, the University of Nairobi’s main campus experienced a fire in the historic Gandhi Wing, leading to losses of untold value. No casualties were reported in that fire either.
Last year in May, a major fire destroyed the Kenyatta University Old Moi Library on the main campus,razing the top floor, which housed departmental and administrative offices.
The University of East Africa, Baraton, also experienced a fire inOctober, damaging a women’s dormitory.