The Acting University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor Francis Mulaa has clarified that learning activities at the institution will go on uninterrupted despite Wednesday night’s fire incident.
In a statement released on Friday, January 17, Mulaa said the continuous assessment tests and end-of-semester exams would also be done as initially scheduled.
While detailing the incident, the VC revealed that the inferno extensively destroyed part of the Iconic Gandhi Wing including the Senior Common Room, The Arzik Restaurant and the Vice Chancellor's parlour.
However, he emphasised that all staff offices were intact including finance and student records housed in the affected building.
“The safety and well-being of our students and staff is our utmost priority, and we are relieved to confirm that everyone in our community is safe and accounted for,” Mulaa said.
“We are committed to ensuring that the core business of the University. Teaching, learning, and research continues without interruption. This also includes already scheduled continuous assessment tests and end-of-semester exams,” he added.
Mulaa went ahead to commend the multi-agency team consisting of the Nairobi Fire Brigade, Kenya Power and the National Police Service (NPS) for their swift and effective response to the situation.
According to the VC, the team’s prompt actions helped contain the fire by midnight, preventing further damage and ensuring the safety of those in the vicinity.
To address the matter, Francis Mulaa revealed that investigations on the cause of the fire and assessment of the cost of damage had already commenced and that the institution would provide more updates soon.
His statement followed barely a day after the inferno burned up a section of the Mahatma Gandhi wing building, leaving behind a trail of destruction. According to reports, the fire broke out at the building's second floor before escalating to other parts.
Videos and images of the incident showed the building engulfed in smoke as firefighters and other agencies battled the intense inferno with students captured standing from a distance to watch the unfolding.
Meanwhile, the Nairobi Central Officer Commanding a Police Division (OCPD) Stephen Okal while confirming the incident noted that structural experts and a forensic team were already at the site to assess the situation.
