Kenya prosecutors are prepared to bring murder charges against eight students in connection with the deadly arson that took sixteen lives at Utumishi Girls' School dormitory last month.
During the incident on 28 May, students were forced to flee through a single doorway as the fire spread across the upper floor of the dormitory, which housed 202 pupils.
CCTV footage, interviews with staff and students, and forensic analysis have linked the victims to the alleged planning and execution of the arson. Police have identified the eight pupils as persons of interest.
“The Director of Public Prosecutions has approved the charges against the implicated students after careful assessment of the evidence,” the Office of the DPP stated. The pupils will be charged with 16 counts of murder and are expected to appear in court in Naivasha on Wednesday.
Education Minister Julius Ogamba noted that the preliminary findings revealed breaches of safety protocols, including overcrowded dormitories and a locked exit door, contributing to the tragedy. Kenya has witnessed a series of school fires in recent years, often linked to arson or accidents.
Images show the eight students, some hooded, walking to courthouse steps after being arrested last month and being escorted by police. Their faces appear solemn under the weight of the charges that loom ahead.
For further context on Kenya’s school fire crisis, explore the BBC Africa feature “The terrors of Kenya’s school fire epidemic” and the discussion on arson attacks that sparked a national debate.
