Kenyan prosecutors have approved murder charges against several students suspected of involvement in a devastating dormitory inferno that claimed the lives of 16 learners at Utumishi Girls’ School in Gilgil last month.
The tragedy occurred on 28 May when flames engulfed the upper section of a hostel accommodating 202 students.
The facility contained 135 bunk beds, and many occupants struggled to escape as the emergency exit reportedly malfunctioned, leaving only one accessible doorway.
According to investigators, eight learners were detained after evidence suggested they may have participated in igniting mattresses near a passageway, triggering the deadly outbreak.
In a statement, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) confirmed that a review of the findings had led to the authorization of criminal proceedings against those implicated.
Authorities revealed that the accused are expected to face 16 counts of murder linked to the fatalities.
However, prosecutors have not disclosed how many of the detained pupils will ultimately be indicted.
The suspects are scheduled to appear before a court in Naivasha on Wednesday.
Investigators reached their conclusions after interviewing witnesses, questioning school personnel, and examining surveillance recordings.
The inquiry identified eight students as key individuals allegedly connected to the planning and execution of the incident.
The ODPP also raised alarm over an increasing number of fire-related offences in educational institutions nationwide, emphasizing that anyone found responsible for such acts would face the full force of the law.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba stated that preliminary investigations uncovered several safety lapses at the institution, including overcrowded accommodation and an exit that had been secured shut.
Kenya has experienced numerous boarding-school fire disasters over the years.
In 2024, a dormitory blaze in central Kenya resulted in at least 21 deaths.
Past incidents have frequently been linked to deliberate acts by dissatisfied students protesting disciplinary actions or poor living conditions, while others have stemmed from accidental causes.
Experts have repeatedly cited congestion in hostels and non-compliance with safety regulations, such as blocked escape routes and locked windows, as factors contributing to high casualty figures during such emergencies.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong