Kenyan police announced the arrest of eight students on Friday, suspected of orchestrating an arson attack at a girls' school that left 16 dead and 79 injured.
The fire erupted early Thursday at Utumishi Girls Academy in Nakuru County, about 120 kilometers north of Nairobi. The dormitory, designed for 270 pupils, was overcrowded. Education Minister Julius Migos Ogamba confirmed the school breached safety regulations: the dormitory was congested, and one exit door was locked. The school board has been dissolved, and the head teacher faces disciplinary action.
The director of criminal investigations stated the eight students are persons of interest in the planning and execution of the arson. Investigators reviewed CCTV and forensic evidence. Two teachers were reportedly warned of possible unrest by a section of Form Three learners but failed to act. Both face disciplinary proceedings.
Deadly school fires are a recurring tragedy in Kenya, where boarding schools are common. The government has closed roughly 350 schools since 2024 for safety non-compliance.