Kenyan police have arrested eight female students on suspicion of arson following a deadly dormitory fire at a boarding school that killed 16 children and left dozens more injured, authorities said Friday. The blaze broke out Thursday morning at Utumishi Girls School in central Kenya, destroying a dormitory and sending shockwaves through the school community. Police say the cause remains under investigation as detectives continue interviewing witnesses and reviewing evidence.
In addition to the fatalities, 79 students were injured in the fire. Investigators spent Thursday questioning 30 students at the school, while parents were told to leave and return later as authorities continued their inquiries. By Friday, police confirmed the arrest of eight students accused of planning and carrying out the suspected arson attack, though officials have not publicly detailed a motive.
A spokesperson for the Directorate of Criminal Investigations said forensic teams are analyzing CCTV footage while investigators gather statements from students, teachers, and other witnesses in an effort to reconstruct what happened. The process, officials said, is ongoing as they work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Families were left waiting at the school on Friday with little information about their children or the investigation. One parent, speaking anonymously, said families had not been informed about the arrests and were being left in uncertainty. Authorities have not indicated when remaining students will be released.
The bodies of the 16 students killed in the fire were taken to a government hospital morgue, where DNA testing is being conducted to confirm their identities. Officials have not yet released the names of the victims.
School fires have long been a concern for education officials across East Africa, where overcrowded dormitories and limited fire safety infrastructure can increase risks. Some incidents have been linked to electrical faults, while others have been attributed to student unrest or disciplinary disputes.
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