8 STUDENTS ARRESTED OVER DEADLY UTUMISHI GIRLS FIRE

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arrested eight students in connection with the deadly fire tragedy at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, as investigators intensify efforts to uncover what caused the inferno that claimed the lives of 16 students.

The arrests came as fresh details emerged pointing to possible arson, safety failures and ignored warnings before the devastating blaze that rocked the country.

In a Friday, May 29 statement, the DCI confirmed that preliminary investigations had identified eight students as persons of interest linked to the planning and execution of the suspected arson attack.

“Preliminary investigations have identified eight students as persons of interest in connection with the planning and execution of the suspected arson attack,” the DCI stated.

“The eight girls have since been arrested and are currently in police custody.”

The tragic fire broke out in the early hours of Thursday, May 28, at the school’s Meline Waithera Dormitory, a two-storey building that housed hundreds of learners.

According to investigators, the upper floor of the dormitory sustained extensive fire damage while the ground floor remained largely intact.

The DCI revealed that the upper section of the building contained 12 cubicles accommodating 135 double-decker beds, raising fresh concerns over congestion and safety compliance within the institution.
“A meticulous examination of the scene led to the recovery of sixteen bodies, all of which were moved to Naivasha Sub-County Referral Hospital Mortuary pending post-mortem examinations and formal identification,” the agency stated.

Authorities said forensic experts, homicide detectives and crime scene investigators had taken over the case following the conclusion of rescue and emergency response operations.

The multi-agency emergency response involved the National Police Service, Kenya Defence Forces, National Youth Service, Kenya Red Cross Society, Kenya Forest Service, National Disaster Management Unit, Nakuru County Government and the Ministry of Education.

According to the DCI, specialised officers from the Crime Scene Investigations unit, Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau, Forensic Imaging and Acoustics Unit, and forensic DNA experts are currently analysing evidence recovered from the dormitory.

Detectives are examining burn patterns, evaluating electrical installations and determining whether accelerants were used to ignite the fire.
“Detectives continue to record statements and analyse all available evidence to reconstruct the sequence of events, establish the full circumstances of the incident, and determine the motive,” the statement added.

Investigators have also been reviewing CCTV footage and conducting extensive interviews with students, teachers and witnesses as part of the ongoing probe.

Reports indicate that police initially recalled about 30 students for questioning before narrowing down to the eight girls now in custody.

The arrests have heightened anxiety among parents and relatives who gathered at the school seeking information about their children.

Some parents expressed frustration over what they described as confusion and lack of communication during the unfolding crisis.
“I arrived at the school at 7am and three hours later I don’t have any information,” one relative told international media while waiting for updates.

Another guardian searching for his sister described the painful uncertainty surrounding the tragedy.
“I don’t know where my sister is. We’ve been told some children are in hospital, some in the mortuary,” he said.

Besides the fatalities, at least 79 students were injured during the incident, with some sustaining injuries after jumping from the first floor while trying to escape the flames.

Seven critically injured students were transferred to Nairobi for specialised treatment while others received treatment and were discharged.

As investigations continued, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced sweeping administrative action against the school’s leadership over alleged negligence and violations of safety regulations.

Ogamba dissolved the school’s Board of Management, accusing it of failing to enforce safety standards outlined in the School Safety Manual and Basic Education Regulations.
“The Board of Management of Utumishi Girls Academy has been dissolved for failing to ensure compliance with the school safety manual and the basic education regulations,” Ogamba stated.

The Education CS further disclosed that the Teachers Service Commission had been instructed to begin disciplinary action against the school principal and other staff members found culpable.
“The TSC has been appraised of these findings and is taking appropriate and immediate disciplinary action against the principal for failing to ensure compliance with the school safety manual and basic education regulations,” he said.

Ogamba also revealed that some teachers had allegedly received prior warnings about possible unrest from a section of Form Three students but failed to act.
“Two teachers were informed of planned unrest by a section of Form Three learners. However, the teachers did not take appropriate action before the arson, despite being informed beforehand,” he stated.

The teachers accused of ignoring the warnings are also expected to face disciplinary proceedings.

The CS confirmed that preliminary findings had uncovered major safety breaches within the dormitory, including congestion and a locked emergency exit.
“In particular, there was congestion in the dormitory and one exit door was locked, contrary to the prescribed safety requirements,” Ogamba said.

He maintained that investigations would establish the individual roles of those involved in the suspected arson attack and determine whether additional Ministry of Education or TSC officials were negligent.
“The investigation will ascertain their individual roles in the planning and execution of this heinous act. Those found culpable will be charged in accordance with the provisions of the Penal Code and other relevant laws,” Ogamba added.

The tragedy has once again reignited debate about recurring school fires in Kenya, many of which have previously been linked to arson, overcrowding in dormitories and failure to adhere to safety guidelines.

Kenya has witnessed several deadly boarding school fires over the years, with education stakeholders repeatedly calling for stricter enforcement of safety standards in schools across the country.