Court Allows Police To Detain Nine Utumishi Girls Students For 21 Days Over Deadly Dormitory Fire
News Updated: 03 June 2026 16:06 EAT
Utumishi Girls Academy suspected arsonists when they were arraigned in court earlier today
The High Court in Naivasha has granted police permission to detain nine students from Utumishi Girls Academy for 21 days as investigations continue into the devastating dormitory fire that claimed the lives of 16 learners. The court ruled that detectives require additional time to complete forensic examinations, record statements from witnesses and analyze evidence gathered from the scene before making a decision on possible criminal charges.
The students are being investigated over their alleged involvement in the fire that broke out at the Gilgil-based institution on the night of May 28. Investigators believe the blaze may have been deliberately started and are examining CCTV footage, electronic evidence and witness testimonies to establish the circumstances that led to one of the deadliest school tragedies in Kenya in recent years.
During the court proceedings, prosecutors argued that releasing the students could interfere with ongoing investigations and potentially compromise efforts to identify all individuals who may have played a role in planning or executing the incident. The State further maintained that the case remains complex, involving numerous witnesses and substantial amounts of evidence that are still being processed.
Detectives told the court that some key witnesses had dispersed to different parts of the country after the school was closed indefinitely following the tragedy. According to investigators, additional time is needed to trace those witnesses, collect statements and compare their accounts with other evidence already obtained from the school premises.
Preliminary investigations have reportedly pointed to a possible plan discussed hours before the fire erupted. Authorities are examining claims that combustible materials may have been assembled and used to start the blaze. Investigators are also reviewing surveillance footage and conducting forensic analysis to determine the exact sequence of events that unfolded before the fire spread through the dormitory.
Lawyers representing the students opposed the detention request, arguing that the learners had not been formally charged and that the prosecution had not provided sufficient grounds for prolonged detention. The defence maintained that the students were minors whose rights should be protected and insisted that they would cooperate with investigators if released under appropriate conditions.
The tragedy has triggered widespread grief and renewed debate about safety standards in Kenyan boarding schools. Families of the victims, education stakeholders and political leaders have demanded answers as authorities work to establish responsibility for the fire and ensure accountability for those found culpable.
The fire left 16 students dead and scores of others injured, prompting national mourning and an outpouring of support for affected families. The government has pledged a thorough investigation into the incident while education officials review safety measures in schools across the country to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
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FELIX MAKONA
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