CCTV Footage, Witness Accounts Lead Detectives to Eight Students in Utumishi Girls Fire Probe

Detectives investigating the deadly fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil have arrested eight students suspected of involvement in what authorities are treating as a planned arson attack that left 16 learners dead and scores injured.

The arrests follow days of investigations led by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), which involved reviewing CCTV footage, conducting forensic examinations, and recording statements from students, teachers, and other witnesses. Investigators say the eight girls emerged as key persons of interest after preliminary findings linked them to the suspected planning and execution of the fire.

The tragic blaze broke out in the early hours of May 28 at the Meline Waithera Dormitory, a two-storey building at the school in Gilgil, Nakuru County. The fire swept through the upper floor, trapping students inside and triggering a desperate rescue effort. Sixteen students lost their lives while 79 others sustained injuries, according to government officials.

According to the DCI, detectives have been reconstructing the sequence of events through witness interviews and digital evidence analysis. CCTV recordings from the institution are among the key pieces of evidence being examined as investigators seek to establish the motive behind the suspected arson attack.

A multi-agency team comprising crime scene investigators, forensic experts, intelligence officers, and DNA specialists has been deployed to process the scene. Authorities are examining burn patterns, possible ignition sources, electrical installations, and structural conditions within the dormitory to determine exactly how the fire started and spread.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba revealed that preliminary investigations indicated two teachers had allegedly received information about a planned disturbance before the incident but failed to take preventive action. He also cited serious safety concerns at the school, including overcrowded dormitories and a reportedly locked emergency exit during the fire.

In response to the tragedy, the government has disbanded the school’s Board of Management and announced that legal and disciplinary action will be taken against any staff found to have neglected their responsibilities.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to gather evidence and record statements. The DCI has appealed for patience from parents and the public, assuring Kenyans that a thorough and impartial probe is underway to establish accountability and uncover the full circumstances surrounding one of the country’s deadliest school fire tragedies in recent years.