Detectives Detain Over 10 Students Over Utumishi Girls' Fire Incident
Several students who had gone home with their parents have also been recalled back to help with the investigations, with detectives linking the fire to an arson attack...
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Police in Kenya have detained over 10 students from Utumishi Girls Academy following a deadly dormitory fire that tragically killed 16 learners and injured 79 others.
- 16 students died and 79 were injured in the suspected arson attack.
- Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations are leading the probe.
- Investigators are exploring leads including allegations of security lights being switched off and the dormitory being locked from the outside.
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Detectives Detain Over 10 Students Over Utumishi Girls' Fire Incident - May 2026
Police in Kenya have detained over 10 students from Utumishi Girls Academy following a deadly dormitory fire that tragically killed 16 learners and injured 79 others. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has dissolved the Board of Management of Utumishi Girls Academy and ordered disciplinary action against the principal. Eght students subsequently arrested in connection with the suspected arson attack. Chief Justice Martha Koome has called for a thorough review of school safety standards following the tragedy. Meanwhile, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna plans to revive a Senate probe into the crisis of overcrowded and deteriorating infrastructure in public secondary schools. Authorities are utilizing DNA analysis to identify the victims, with some student bodies burned beyond recognition.
