Police Detain More Than 10 Students as Investigators Probe Deadly Utumishi Girls Dormitory Fire
More than 10 students from Utumishi Girls Academy have been detained by detectives as investigations intensify into a devastating dormitory fire that claimed the lives of 16 learners and left dozens of others injured.
The tragic blaze broke out shortly after midnight on Thursday, May 28, engulfing the upper floor of a dormitory block and trapping students inside as panic spread across the school compound.
Investigators are increasingly treating the incident as a possible case of arson, with detectives pursuing several lines of inquiry to establish how the fire started and whether it could have been deliberately set.
According to preliminary reports, at least 79 students sustained injuries during the incident and were rushed to various hospitals for emergency treatment. Health officials later confirmed that 71 of those injured had been discharged after receiving medical attention, while others remained under observation.
As part of the ongoing investigation, police have reportedly isolated more than 10 students believed to possess information that could assist detectives in piecing together the events leading up to the tragedy. The learners spent Thursday night under police supervision as questioning continued.
Authorities have also recalled several students who had already left the school in the company of their parents and guardians, with investigators seeking statements from all individuals who may have witnessed suspicious activities before the fire erupted.
Among the issues under scrutiny are claims from survivors that security lights within the school compound are routinely switched off at approximately 10:10 p.m. every night. Detectives are examining whether darkness within the compound may have hampered emergency response efforts or contributed to the scale of the disaster.
Investigators are further probing allegations that the dormitory may have been locked from the outside at the time of the fire, potentially preventing students from escaping as flames rapidly spread through the building. If confirmed, the claims could significantly influence the direction of the investigation.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is also examining whether pressure related to upcoming examinations scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, may have played any role in the suspected arson incident.
Meanwhile, the process of identifying victims has proved difficult. A government pathologist involved in the investigation disclosed that several of the recovered bodies were burnt beyond recognition, necessitating forensic procedures and DNA analysis before formal identification can be completed.
School records indicate that Utumishi Girls Academy had a total enrolment of 815 students at the time of the tragedy. Of these, 808 were present on the school grounds when the fire broke out, while seven others were reportedly away from the institution for undisclosed reasons.
Speaking to journalists following the incident, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba urged Kenyans to refrain from speculation as investigators work to establish the cause of the fire.
“Let’s not be speculative at this stage. We have a school safety manual that all schools adhere to. Let’s wait and see if the manual was adhered to after the investigation,” Ogamba said.
The Cabinet Secretary added that authorities would conduct a comprehensive review of the school’s compliance with government safety regulations, including dormitory safety standards, emergency preparedness measures, and fire prevention protocols.
The tragedy has reignited concerns over school safety in Kenya, with parents, education stakeholders, and lawmakers calling for stricter enforcement of safety regulations in boarding institutions across the country.
Police have assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway and that anyone found responsible for the fire will face the full force of the law.
Also Read: TSC Launches Nationwide ICT Training for JSS Teachers in All 47 Counties