Kenya Police Arrest Eight Students Over School Fire That Killed 16

Police in Kenya have arrested eight students in connection with a suspected arson attack at Utumishi Girls Senior Secondary School that killed 16 pupils. The fire started in the early hours of Thursday morning on the first floor of a dormitory at the school in Gilgil, roughly 120 km northwest of Nairobi. The blaze spread through the upper floor, which contained 135 bunk beds.

After reviewing interviews with students and staff and examining CCTV footage, police identified the eight students as persons of interest in the planning and execution of the fire. The students were traced to their homes, returned to the school, and detained for questioning.

Thirty students were initially recalled by investigators. Eight of them were arrested; others who had remained near the school were also detained. Investigations into the exact cause of the fire are continuing.

Kenya has recorded multiple deadly school fires in recent years. Two years ago, at least 21 people died in a dormitory fire in central Kenya. Many of the fires have been attributed to arson by disgruntled pupils, while others resulted from accidents.

Overcrowding and blocked exits have often been cited as factors increasing casualties.