Kenyan prosecutors have approved murder charges against several students over a suspected arson attack that killed 16 pupils at a boarding school last month.
The fire broke out on 28 May in a dormitory at Utumishi Girls’ School, about 120 km northwest of Nairobi. The blaze claimed the lives of 16 girls aged between 15 and 18, while dozens of others were injured.
According to investigators:
- Eight students were identified as suspects after police investigations, including interviews with students and staff and a review of CCTV footage.
- Authorities allege the fire was deliberately started by setting mattresses alight near an exit.
- The suspects, who remain in custody, are expected to face 16 counts of murder in court.
Investigators also found serious safety failures at the school. The dormitory reportedly housed 202 students despite having 135 bunk beds, and students were forced to escape through a single doorway after an emergency exit failed to open.
Julius Ogamba said preliminary investigations revealed multiple violations of school safety regulations, including overcrowding and a locked emergency exit.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions warned that those responsible for arson and other crimes in educational institutions would be held accountable, noting a recent increase in such incidents.
Kenya has experienced several deadly school fires over the years, many of which have been linked to suspected arson by students protesting disciplinary measures or poor living conditions, while others have resulted from accidents compounded by inadequate safety standards.
