High Court Stops Reopening of Utumishi Girls Academy Dormitory Amid Ongoing Fire Probe
News Updated: 13 July 2026 13:48 EAT
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The High Court has temporarily barred the reopening of the Meline Waithera dormitory at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, ruling that the facility must remain closed as investigations into the deadly fire that claimed the lives of 16 students continue.
Justice Cecilia Githua issued the conservatory order after a petition was filed by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the Elimu Bora Working Group. The petitioners argued that reopening the dormitory before investigations are completed would compromise crucial evidence and undermine efforts to establish accountability.
In her ruling, Justice Githua noted that the dormitory remains an active crime scene under police investigation and should not be accessed until investigators complete their work. The court emphasized the need to preserve evidence that could be vital in the ongoing criminal case.
The petitioners also argued that allowing students back into the building before implementing recommended safety measures would expose them to unnecessary risk. They urged the court to ensure that the government first addresses safety concerns identified after the tragedy.
The court certified the matter as urgent and directed that the Attorney General, the Ministry of Education, the National Education Board, the Nakuru County Director of Education, the school's Board of Management, the principal and other respondents be served with the petition before further directions are issued.
The fire, which broke out on May 28, shocked the country after it killed 16 students and left several others injured. The tragedy renewed concerns over the safety of boarding schools and the enforcement of fire prevention regulations in learning institutions.
Investigators believe the blaze was deliberately started, making the dormitory a critical piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation. Authorities have maintained that preserving the scene is essential to determining the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
In a related criminal case, eight students from the school have been charged with 16 counts of murder over the fire. The accused pleaded not guilty before the High Court, and the case is still before the courts.
The petitioners further argued that Kenya has repeatedly failed to implement recommendations made after previous school fire disasters, resulting in recurring tragedies. They cited the need for stronger enforcement of safety standards and accountability measures across all boarding schools.
While the school has resumed learning for candidates preparing for national examinations, the court's order means the affected dormitory will remain closed until police conclude their investigations and the court gives further directions.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD