Parents of students at Utumishi Girls School in central Kenya are anxiously waiting for answers after a devastating dormitory fire killed 16 pupils and injured dozens more in what authorities suspect was an arson attack.
The tragedy occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning when a fire swept through the upper floor of a dormitory housing 135 bunk beds. The blaze spread rapidly, trapping students inside and leaving families desperate for information about their children.
Since the incident, hundreds of parents have gathered at the school seeking confirmation about the fate of their daughters. Many have expressed frustration over what they describe as confusing and inconsistent information from officials regarding the whereabouts of survivors and victims.
Among them is John Muiruri, whose 13-year-old daughter, Nicole Muiruri, was a student at the school. He said families have been left in uncertainty, with different reports suggesting injured students were being treated at hospitals in Nairobi and Naivasha.
As the wait for official confirmation continues, many parents fear the worst and are demanding clarity from authorities.
The bodies of the 16 victims were transferred to a government mortuary shortly after the fire. Due to the severity of the burns, officials said visual identification is not possible, forcing investigators to rely on DNA testing to determine the identities of those who died.
Forensic teams began collecting DNA samples from parents on Friday as part of the identification process. Authorities hope the testing will provide families with answers and allow the victims to be formally identified.
In addition to the fatalities, at least 79 people were injured during the incident, with several students receiving medical treatment for burns and smoke inhalation.
Investigators believe the fire may have been deliberately started. Police have confirmed that eight students have been arrested in connection with the alleged planning and execution of the blaze. The motive behind the suspected arson remains under investigation.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), investigators have conducted extensive interviews with students, teachers and witnesses while forensic specialists continue examining evidence and reviewing available CCTV footage.
The tragedy has also prompted disciplinary action within the school administration. Kenya’s Education Minister, Julius Ogamba, announced that the school’s board of management had been dissolved following preliminary findings into safety failures.
Authorities revealed that the dormitory was overcrowded and that one of the emergency exit doors had been locked, violating established safety regulations. Officials said the school principal would face disciplinary proceedings over the alleged breaches.
Two teachers are also expected to face disciplinary action after reports emerged that they were aware of planned student unrest before the incident occurred.
School fires remain a recurring concern across parts of East Africa, where overcrowded dormitories, inadequate emergency exits and limited firefighting equipment often increase the risk of major disasters. In some cases, school fires have been linked to electrical faults, while others have been deliberately started by students protesting disciplinary measures or school conditions.
As investigations continue, grieving families remain focused on one thing: receiving confirmation about their daughters and understanding how such a devastating tragedy could have occurred.
