Eight Students Arrested In Connection With Fatal Arson At Kenyan Girls’ School/Image@ BBC
Authorities have apprehended eight students linked to a suspected arson incident at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Kenya, which tragically resulted in the deaths of 16 pupils.
The fire broke out early Thursday morning, engulfing the upper floor of a dormitory that housed 135 bunk beds, located approximately 120 kilometers (77 miles) northwest of Nairobi.
Following interviews with students and staff, along with a forensic analysis of CCTV footage, the National Police Service identified the eight individuals as “persons of interest regarding the planning and execution” of the devastating fire.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the precise cause of the blaze.
Police reported that the students were located at their homes and brought back for questioning, while others who remained nearby were also apprehended.
Initially, detectives traced 30 students for questioning related to the tragic event, with eight ultimately being detained.
As investigations progressed, emotional scenes unfolded at the school, where parents and relatives anxiously awaited news about their loved ones.
Security measures were intensified around the institution as crowds gathered, demanding prompt action and accountability for the incident.
”I arrived at the school at 07:00, and three hours later, I still have no information,” lamented Njuki Nthimba, who is searching for his niece.
”Officers from the school asked parents to form three groups, one for those whose children have been arrested, another for those whose children have died, and a third for those who are still unaccounted for.”
Samuel Githua came to the school seeking his sister.
”I have no idea where she is. We’ve heard some children are hospitalized while others are in the mortuary.
Our mother passed away when we were young, so I’ve cared for her like both a father and mother.
She means everything to me,” he said.
Kenya has faced a troubling history of school fires, just two years ago, a dormitory fire in central Kenya claimed at least 21 lives.
Many incidents in boarding schools have been attributed to arson, often involving disgruntled students dissatisfied with discipline and living conditions.
Additionally, overcrowding in dormitories and neglecting safety protocols, such as keeping exits unobstructed and windows accessible, have been frequently cited as factors contributing to high casualty rates.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong