16 students killed in a dormitory fire at a Kenyan girls’ school.
Eight students have been charged with murder in connection with the blaze.
Prosecutors in Kenya have approved murder charges against multiple students in connection with a fire at a girls' boarding school that killed 16 students in late May. The case highlights a series of safety issues and a broader pattern of school fires in the country.
Incident and Casualties
A fire broke out just after midnight on May 28 at Utumishi Girls' Academy Senior School in Gilgil, Kenya. The blaze burned for over two hours in a dormitory housing 202 students.
The fire resulted in the deaths of 16 students, aged between 15 and 18. An additional 79 students were injured; as of early reports, 71 of those injured had been discharged from hospital.
Investigation and Charges
Kenyan authorities have identified eight students as suspects in the case. According to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), a forensic review of CCTV footage and interviews implicated these individuals in the planning and execution of the fire. The students were arrested on suspicion of setting mattresses alight near a dormitory exit.
The DPP has approved murder charges against the eight suspects, who are in custody and expected to appear in court in Naivasha.
The cause of the fire has not been officially identified. Education Minister Julius Migos stated the cause remains under investigation. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen urged the public to avoid speculation. One first responder reported that survivors stated a student ignited a mattress with a match; the motive for the alleged act is unknown.
Contributing Factors
Preliminary findings from the investigation indicated that the dormitory was overcrowded and that one exit door was locked at the time of the fire. These conditions were cited as factors contributing to the high number of casualties.
Broader Context
Hundreds of family members gathered at the school following the incident, and local residents participated in rescue efforts.
The fire is part of a recurring pattern of school fires in Kenya. Official records indicate that over 100 school fires were reported in the country in 2024, with many attributed to arson by disgruntled students. In 2023, a separate dormitory fire in central Kenya killed at least 21 people.
The Office of the DPP issued a statement expressing concern over a recent rise in arson cases at learning institutions and warned that those responsible would be held accountable.