Charges Filed Against Eight Schoolgirls in Fatal School Fire
On Wednesday, prosecutors in Kenya charged eight schoolgirls with setting fire to Utsumi Girls’ School on May 28, resulting in the deaths of 16 fellow students. Most of those involved, both victims and perpetrators, were between 15 and 18 years old. There were also 79 injuries reported from the blaze.
Utsumi Academy, a boarding school for girls, is located in Gilgil, around 110 miles north of Nairobi. The fire ignited on the upper floor shortly after midnight, raging for over two hours. Witness accounts reveal that many students were trapped and unable to escape the flames.
CNN previously noted that fires in schools are unfortunately frequent in Kenya, often sparked by students protesting strict disciplinary measures and challenging school conditions.
The tragic incident resulted in the loss of 16 girls, and during a mass funeral on June 13, a leader of the event also perished. This individual had survived Kenya’s most catastrophic school fire back in 2001, which took the lives of 67 students. By 2026, the Kenya Red Cross Society indicated it had responded to a staggering 37 school fires.
The cause of this particular fire seemed straightforward. The day after the tragedy, 30 students were summoned for questioning, with eight being pinpointed as “persons of interest” related to the planning and execution of the arson, leading to their police custody.
A preliminary probe highlighted major safety violations at the school that significantly contributed to the death toll. Issues included overcrowded dorms and locked exit doors that defied established safety protocols. The upper floors housed 202 students with just one evacuation route in case of emergency.
Five weeks post-fire, each girl among the eight suspects faced 16 counts of murder. Prosecutors stated they would remain in detention without bail due to concerns for their safety and the public interest surrounding the case.
The suspects have gone through thorough psychiatric evaluations to confirm their ability to stand trial and have entered not guilty pleas regarding the murder charges.
Details about the suspects and the circumstances of the fire remain scarce. Initial reports suggest the fire was ignited by stacking mattresses near the dormitory exit and setting them ablaze. Following the fire, Education Minister Julius Ogunba disclosed that investigators believed two teachers were aware of the students’ plan but were unable to intervene in time.
