Kenya students charged over deadly school fire

A horrific dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls’ School in Gilgil killed 16 students and left many more injured. Police now say eight students are in custody and prosecutors are preparing to charge them with murder.

The fire ripped through a building that held 202 students. A single exit had jammed, forcing many to escape through a narrow doorway. CCTV footage and student interviews point to a deliberate start: mattresses set ablaze near a exit.

Prosecutors will file sixteen murder counts, one for each victim. The case is a stark reminder of the risks in overcrowded boarding schools and the importance of strict safety protocols.

Education Minister Julius Ogamba said safety breaches—overcrowded dorms, locked exits—shaped the tragedy. Kenya’s history of school fires underscores the need for tighter oversight.

The court hearing is set for Wednesday in Naivasha. The outcome will set a precedent for how schools handle arson and safety violations.

For more on Kenya’s ongoing debate about school safety, follow BBC Africa on Twitter at @BBCAfrica or check out BBCAfrica.com.