Kenyan police have arrested eight students identified as persons of interest following a deadly dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, which killed 16 students and injured 79 others. The fire swept through the upper floor of a crowded dormitory building in the early hours of Thursday, May 28, about 120 kilometers from Nairobi.
Investigation and Arrests
According to the BBC, authorities reported that the blaze destroyed the upper section of a dormitory housing 135 bunk beds. Police investigators disclosed that the arrests followed interviews with students and school staff, as well as a review of CCTV footage from the school premises. The National Police Service stated that the eight students were linked to the alleged planning and execution of the fire. Some students were traced to their homes and brought back for questioning, while others were detained within the area. The suspects were among 30 students earlier recalled to assist detectives. Investigators have yet to officially determine the exact cause of the fire.
Safety Violations Found
Kenya's Education Minister, Julius Ogamba, said preliminary findings revealed several safety violations at the school, including overcrowding and a locked emergency exit. He noted, "In particular, there was congestion in the dormitory and one exit door was locked, contrary to the prescribed safety requirements." The minister announced the dissolution of the school's board of management and directed that action be taken against the principal. He added that disciplinary and legal measures would be applied against individuals found negligent in their responsibilities.
Injuries and Aftermath
Apart from the fatalities, 79 students sustained injuries, some after jumping from the first floor of the dormitory to escape the flames. Seven injured students were transferred to hospitals in Nairobi for specialized treatment, while others were treated and later discharged. Grief-stricken relatives gathered at the school, anxiously waiting for information about missing students. Njuki Nthimba, searching for his niece, told the BBC, "I arrived at the school at 07:00 and three hours later I don't have any information." The bodies of the deceased were moved to a nearby mortuary for preservation and DNA identification as investigations continue.
