Authorities in Kenya have taken eight students into custody as part of an ongoing investigation into a devastating arson attack at the Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil. The blaze, which erupted in the early hours of Thursday morning, decimated the upper floor of a dormitory housing 135 bunk beds, resulting in the tragic deaths of 16 pupils and leaving 79 others injured. Many of the survivors sustained injuries while attempting to escape the inferno by jumping from the first floor.

Investigators identified the eight students as persons of interest after conducting forensic reviews of CCTV footage and interviewing both staff and pupils. The suspects were apprehended after being traced to their homes or located in the vicinity of the school. While the investigation into the specific cause of the fire remains active, the incident has prompted a swift government response. Education Minister Julius Ogamba has dissolved the school’s board of management and initiated disciplinary proceedings against the headteacher, citing severe safety violations including dormitory overcrowding and locked emergency exits.

The tragedy has sparked widespread grief and frustration among families, many of whom gathered at the school grounds in search of information regarding their missing children. As authorities work to identify the victims through DNA testing, the incident has reignited a national conversation regarding safety standards in boarding schools. With a history of similar fires in the region often linked to arson or negligence, officials are facing mounting pressure to enforce stricter adherence to safety protocols to prevent further loss of life.