DCI Holds Eight Students Over Deadly Utumishi Girls Dormitory Fire

Eight female students are in police custody as investigators probe a suspected arson attack that killed 16 learners and injured dozens of others at a boarding school in Gilgil, Nakuru County.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed the arrests on Friday following preliminary findings into the blaze, which tore through a dormitory at Utumishi Girls Senior Secondary School.

A specialized multi-agency team comprising homicide detectives, forensic experts, and crime scene investigators took over the scene to reconstruct the sequence of events and establish the motive.

According to the DCI, detectives conducted extensive interviews with students, teaching staff, and other witnesses, while forensic teams began a detailed review of available Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage.

The early morning fire broke out at the school's Meline Waithera Dormitory, which is a two-storey building.

Investigators established that the upper floor of the building sustained extensive fire damage, but the ground floor remained largely intact.

The affected upper section featured 12 cubicles built to accommodate 135 double-decker beds, raising structural and safety questions regarding how rapidly the flames spread through the upper floor.

Physical scene processing is focusing heavily on structural and forensic evidence to determine how the inferno started and spread.

Forensic teams are analyzing specific burn patterns, evaluating the condition of electrical installations, and checking for potential ignition sources.

Technicians are also examining the site to determine whether any chemical accelerants were used to deliberately ignite the building.

Emergency operations at the site involved a major response, including the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), National Youth Service (NYS), Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS), Nakuru County fire brigade, and Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC).

First responders recovered 16 bodies from the upper floor of the destroyed structure, and the remains were transferred to the Naivasha Sub-County Referral Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations.

Government Pathologist Dr. Titus Ngulungu noted that the victims were burned beyond recognition, which makes forensic Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) testing necessary before formal identification can be completed.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba stated that 79 students were injured during the incident, with most treated and discharged, although several required admission to hospital.

The Education Minister announced the dissolution of the school's board of management and stated that the principal would face disciplinary action for failing to comply with safety regulations.

Official inspections after the fire revealed that the dormitory suffered from congestion, and one critical exit door was found to be locked, obstructing the panicking students as they tried to escape.

President Ruto extended condolences to the affected families, stating that the nation shares in the deep grief of the community, while Deputy President Kithure Kindiki described the loss of the young lives as heartbreaking.

Police have appealed to parents, guardians, and the public to remain calm while the specialized homicide and forensic units complete their evaluation of the physical evidence and digital surveillance logs.