Historical structures built in 1963 destroyed in UON fire

According to Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Francis Mulaa, the fire destroyed the common room and chancellor's parlour, both of which were part of the iconic buildings built when the university was founded in 1963.

"Most of the old structure is made of timber, which significantly fueled the fire," Prof. Mulaa explained, adding that firefighters and Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) teams responded promptly to the distress call, preventing the fire from spreading to adjacent facilities.

Videos shared widely on social media showed the intensity of the flames, with thick smoke billowing into the night sky and visible across campus.

As of Thursday morning, the full extent of the damage was unknown, with detectives on the scene investigating the cause of the fire.

Prof. Mulaa assured the public that efforts to determine the cause of the blaze were ongoing.

This incident is a significant setback for the university, as the Mahatma Gandhi wing and its surrounding structures have immense historical and cultural significance for Kenya's oldest institution of higher learning.