Key facts
- Kenyan prosecutors are preparing to charge students with murder in connection with a dormitory fire.
- The fire at Utumishi Girls School on May 28 killed 16 girls.
- Nine suspects are in custody for a 21-day investigation period.
- The fire occurred in a dormitory housing 202 students, with victims forced to flee through a single exit.
- Officials are concerned about an increase in school fires across Kenya.
Prosecutors in Kenya are preparing to file murder charges against students accused of starting a dormitory fire that resulted in the deaths of 16 girls at Utumishi Girls School. The blaze occurred on May 28, engulfing a dormitory that housed 202 students. Officials stated that students were forced to escape through a single doorway as the school matron failed to open an emergency exit.
Police have arrested nine suspects in connection with the fire, which they allege began when a mattress was set ablaze near an exit. These suspects are currently being held for a 21-day investigative period before formal charges are brought in court, according to Kenya’s Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The office also highlighted a concerning rise in school fires across the country, vowing to hold those responsible accountable. The Kenya Red Cross reported responding to 37 school fire incidents since the start of the year. In response to safety concerns, the principal of Utumishi Girls School was suspended last month for non-compliance with fire safety regulations. The Education Ministry has also closed over 300 schools following a separate fire tragedy in 2024 that claimed the lives of 21 boys. Fires in Kenyan schools are a significant concern due to crowded conditions, a lack of firefighting equipment, and sometimes poor electrical wiring.