Utumishi Girls fire: 7 students arraigned at Naivasha Law Courts over deaths of 16
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, June 2, 2026Seven persons of interest linked to the fire at Utumishi Girls Academy, which killed 16 students, have been arraigned at the Naivasha law courts on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.
The arraignment of the seven in court follows their arrest on Friday, May 29, 2026, in which the students were arrested in connection with the deadly dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls’ Academy that claimed the lives of 16 learners and left dozens injured as detectives intensify investigations into one of the country’s worst school fire tragedies in recent years.
In a statement shared on the DCI Facebook account on Friday, May 29, 2026, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations said preliminary investigations had identified eight students as persons of interest linked to the planning and execution of the suspected arson attack.
“Investigators have conducted extensive interviews with students, teaching staff and other witnesses, while forensic teams carry out a detailed review of available CCTV footage,” the DCI stated.
Revealing reason behind setting dormitory on fire
Investigators say the girls told detectives they were upset over several issues at the school, including changes to the examination timetable, the introduction of a fee for a cultural event, and influence from peers after a nearby boys’ school staged a strike.
According to police findings, the plan to set fire to the dormitory was allegedly made around 9 pm and carried out about three hours later.
CCTV footage is said to have captured key moments leading up to the incident, including the alleged preparation of matchboxes and paraffin hours before the blaze.
On the fifth day of investigations, detectives remained at Gilgil Police Station, where the seven suspects were being questioned. Officers from the Child Protection Unit, alongside counsellors, took part in the interviews.
Police say the persons of interest said their frustrations were mainly directed at the school administration.
They claimed the examination timetable had been moved from June 16 to June 2, which added to their anger.
They also pointed to the cultural event charges and outside influence from students at a neighbouring boys’ school that had recently gone on strike.
Investigators have confirmed that enquiries are ongoing, with more persons of interest still being sought in connection with the arson attack.