Eight Students in Kenya Arrested After Dorm Fire Kills 16

The Kenyan authorities have arrested eight students on charges of setting a dormitory on fire at a girls boarding school, resulting in the deaths of 16 students and injuries to 79 others. The incident occurred on Thursday at the Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, a town approximately 75 miles northwest of Nairobi.

According to a statement on social media by Kenya’s criminal investigations unit, the students are considered “persons of interest” in connection with the suspected arson attack. Julius Ogamba, Kenya’s education minister, stated that the accused could face charges in court by Tuesday. The investigation includes interviews, CCTV footage review, and ongoing evidence analysis. However, the motive remains unclear.

The fire ignited shortly before 1 a.m. local time and was controlled by 3 a.m. The high school is managed by Kenya’s police. This tragedy raises renewed concerns regarding fire safety measures in the nation’s educational institutions. A 2020 government audit indicated that many schools in Kenya lack adequate fire safety equipment, such as working extinguishers and alarms, despite guidelines detailed in a national safety manual published in 2008.

An earlier fire in 2024 at an elementary school resulted in the deaths of 21 children in a dormitory that housed over 300 students. The deadliest school fire in Kenyan history occurred in 2001 when a high school fire in Machakos claimed 67 lives.

Mr. Ogamba mentioned that two teachers, allegedly aware of the recent suspected arson, would be disciplined. The school’s management was also dissolved for not following safety standards. “There was congestion in the dormitory, and one exit door was locked, contrary to the prescribed safety requirements,” explained Mr. Ogamba.

Parents at the scene reported that some children had to jump out of windows, resulting in head and other injuries. Seven students admitted to a nearby hospital were later airlifted to Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi for specialized medical care, as stated by Mr. Ogamba.

On Friday, parents expressed frustration over the lack of information from authorities. A day earlier, several parents demanded details about the whereabouts of their children. The criminal investigations unit confirmed that autopsies were being performed at a nearby hospital for victim identification.