Eight students arrested over 'suspected arson attack' at Kenyan girls' school

Kenyan police have arrested eight students suspected of starting a fire at Utumishi Girls Academy, an incident that tragically killed 16 students and injured 79 others. The blaze broke out early Thursday in a dormitory at the school, located in Nakuru County, approximately 120 kilometers north of Nairobi.

“

did not adhere to the safety requirements

Preliminary investigations indicate that the school failed to adhere to safety requirements. The education minister cited dormitory overcrowding and a locked exit door as critical breaches. The school board has been dissolved, and disciplinary action is being taken against the school head. The director of criminal investigations stated that eight students are considered persons of interest in the planning and execution of the suspected arson attack.

“

In particular, there was congestion in the dormitory and one exit door was locked

The dormitory, designed for 270 pupils with 135 bunk beds, housed 16 deceased students in fire-damaged cubicles on the upper floor. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with authorities reviewing CCTV footage and forensic evidence. The school is affiliated with the National Police Service, and many students are children of police officers. The minister also noted that two teachers were informed of planned unrest by students but did not take appropriate action, and they too will face disciplinary proceedings.

“

Preliminary investigations have identified eight students as persons of interest in connection with the planning and execution of the suspected arson attack