NAIROBI, Kenya- The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has approved 16 counts of murder against students implicated in the deadly Utumishi Girls Academy dormitory fire that claimed the lives of 16 learners in May.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said it had reviewed a preliminary inquiry file submitted by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) regarding the May 28 arson incident at the Gilgil-based school.
Following an assessment of the evidence, the DPP approved murder charges against the suspects.
“Upon careful assessment of the evidence, the Director of Public Prosecutions has approved charges against the implicated students. The suspects will face sixteen counts of murder arising from the incident,” the ODPP said.
The fire tore through a dormitory housing more than 200 students, leaving 16 girls dead and dozens injured in one of Kenya’s deadliest school tragedies in recent years.
Investigators allege the blaze was deliberately started by setting a mattress on fire near the dormitory exit using paraffin and a matchstick.
Nine students were arrested following investigations by detectives, who relied on witness statements, forensic evidence and CCTV footage obtained from the school.
The suspects have been in custody as authorities completed investigations into possible arson and murder charges.
Earlier this month, a Naivasha court granted investigators 21 days to detain the students at a children’s facility to allow completion of forensic examinations, including DNA analysis and other scientific investigations.
Prosecutors argued that the matter involved serious offences and required additional time to establish criminal responsibility.
The DPP also expressed concern over a growing trend of school fires and warned that those found responsible for such incidents would face the full force of the law.
The office noted that arson attacks in learning institutions continue to pose a serious threat to the safety of students and school communities.
The Utumishi Girls tragedy shocked the nation and reignited concerns about school safety, dormitory conditions and student unrest.
Following the incident, the Ministry of Education suspended the school’s principal over alleged non-compliance with fire safety regulations as investigations continued.
The suspects are expected to be formally presented before court to answer the murder charges as the case moves to the next stage of prosecution.
