Detectives have taken more than 10 students from Utumishi Girls Academy into custody as investigations into the tragic dormitory fire that claimed the lives of 16 learners intensify.
The deadly blaze broke out at around 12:45 am on Thursday, May 28, destroying the upper floor of one of the school’s dormitories and trapping students inside as panic spread across the institution.
Authorities confirmed that at least 79 students were injured during the incident. Of those hurt, 71 have already been discharged from various hospitals after receiving treatment and being declared stable.
Investigators from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations are now focusing on establishing the exact cause of the fire, with preliminary findings reportedly prompting the detention of several students for questioning.
Sources close to the investigation indicated that detectives are examining whether the fire may have been started intentionally, although officials have not yet released a formal statement confirming arson.
The shocking tragedy has plunged families, students and the wider education community into mourning, with grief and anger growing over safety standards in boarding schools.
Emergency responders who arrived at the scene battled the flames for hours as terrified students attempted to escape the burning dormitory. Witnesses described scenes of confusion, screams and desperate rescue attempts as smoke engulfed the building.
Government officials and education stakeholders have since visited the school as investigations continue. Authorities are also expected to conduct safety assessments in boarding institutions across the country following the incident.
The tragedy has revived painful memories of previous school fire disasters in Kenya, many of which led to calls for stricter enforcement of dormitory safety regulations and improved emergency preparedness.
Parents of the affected students are now demanding answers regarding how the fire spread so quickly and whether adequate safety measures were in place at the time of the incident.
Police say the detained students are assisting investigators and that further action will depend on forensic findings and witness statements collected during the ongoing probe.
The bodies of the 16 learners who died in the fire are expected to undergo postmortem examinations as authorities continue piecing together the events leading to the deadly inferno.