Fresh details have emerged following the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, that claimed the lives of at least 16 students and left dozens injured, as investigators now suspect the blaze may have been deliberately started.
Authorities have arrested eight students in connection with the inferno that tore through a dormitory in the middle of the night, trapping learners inside as flames spread rapidly through the building.
Investigations by security agencies indicate that the fire may have originated from a mattress allegedly set ablaze using a matchstick. Detectives are now pursuing claims that the incident could have been linked to unrest within the school.
The tragedy has shocked the nation even further after reports emerged that emergency exits in the affected dormitory section were allegedly locked during the fire, preventing many students from escaping. Survivors recounted terrifying moments as some girls reportedly jumped through windows to save their lives while others remained trapped inside the burning structure.
Sources involved in the investigations also revealed that the dormitory was overcrowded, with more than 200 students said to have been housed in the affected section at the time of the incident.
The government has since moved swiftly following the disaster. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba dissolved the school’s board of management, citing serious safety failures and negligence.
At the same time, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen warned that investigations would not only target students suspected of involvement but also school officials who may have ignored warning signs before the tragedy occurred.
Authorities are also investigating claims that two teachers allegedly had prior information regarding possible unrest or a planned incident but failed to take action.
Meanwhile, several students remain admitted in critical condition with severe burns and injuries sustained while escaping the flames. Families of the victims continue to camp at hospitals and mortuaries, with some parents still awaiting DNA identification of bodies recovered from the burnt dormitory.
The tragedy has sparked national outrage and reopened painful memories of previous deadly school fires in Kenya that exposed poor enforcement of safety standards in learning institutions.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has also issued a warning against the spread of ethnic hate speech online after inflammatory messages began circulating on social media following the incident.
Investigations into the exact cause of the fire are ongoing.
