NAIROBI, Kenya- Preliminary investigations into the deadly fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil have revealed that two teachers had reportedly been warned about a planned arson attack before the tragedy that claimed the lives of 16 students.
The shocking revelation emerged as authorities intensified investigations into the dormitory blaze, which also left 79 students injured and triggered national outrage over safety standards in Kenyan boarding schools.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said preliminary findings indicated that two members of staff had received information regarding the students’ alleged plans but failed to take action to prevent the incident.
“However, the teachers did not take appropriate action before the arson, despite having been informed beforehand,” CS Ogamba said.
According to investigators, the fire is now being treated as a suspected arson attack, with detectives believing the blaze may have been planned before it broke out in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Authorities have already arrested eight students identified as persons of interest in connection with the planning and execution of the suspected arson. The learners remain in police custody as investigations continue.
“Preliminary investigations have identified eight students as persons of interest in connection with the planning and execution of the suspected arson attack,” the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said in a statement.
The tragedy unfolded shortly after midnight when a fire ripped through a dormitory housing more than 200 students. Survivors reported scenes of panic as flames spread rapidly through the building. Some learners were reportedly forced to jump through windows to escape.
Investigators are also examining allegations that critical safety measures were ignored.
Education officials disclosed that the school had failed to fully comply with safety regulations, including concerns over overcrowded dormitories and an emergency exit that was reportedly locked during the fire.
The findings have prompted swift government action.
Ogamba announced the dissolution of the school’s Board of Management, saying legal and disciplinary measures would be taken against any staff found to have neglected their responsibilities.
Detectives have spent days interviewing students, teachers and witnesses while forensic experts analyse CCTV footage and other evidence collected from the scene.
Multiple survivor accounts have also suggested that the fire may have started after a mattress was deliberately set ablaze, although investigators have cautioned that the exact sequence of events remains under review.
The Utumishi Girls tragedy has once again raised concerns over school safety in Kenya, coming less than two years after another deadly dormitory fire in Nyeri County killed 21 students.
As grieving families await answers, pressure is mounting on education authorities to explain how warnings about possible unrest were allegedly ignored before one of the country’s deadliest school fire disasters in recent years.
“The Teachers Service Commission has been apprised of these findings and is taking appropriate and immediate disciplinary action against the Principal for failing to ensure compliance with the School Safety Manual and the basic Education regulations. The teachers who failed to take action despite having been informed of the planned unrest will also be subjected to discipline proceedings,” he said.
