One Utumishi Girls student freed as eight face 16 murder charges over deadly dorm fire

One student accused over the deadly Utumishi Girls' Academy dormitory fire has been freed, while eight others are now set to face 16 counts of murder each over a tragedy that claimed the lives of 16 learners.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) approved the charges after reviewing a preliminary inquiry file submitted by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) into the May 28 fire at the Nakuru County school.

The decision marks a major development in a case that has gripped the country and reignited concerns about safety in schools.

“Upon careful assessment of the evidence, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has approved charges against the implicated students. The suspects will face sixteen (16) counts of murder arising from the incident,” the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said.

The move means eight students will be prosecuted over the deaths of the 16 learners who died when a dormitory was engulfed by flames late at night.

The ODPP said the decision was reached after reviewing evidence collected during weeks of investigations and stressed that the prosecution would remain guided by fairness and evidence.

“The office remains committed to ensuring justice through a fair, impartial, and evidence-based prosecution process,” the agency said.

The case has drawn national attention since the May 28 tragedy, which left families grieving and sparked renewed debate over the safety of students in learning institutions.

The charges follow extensive investigations involving detectives, forensic experts and child protection officers.

Earlier this month, the Naivasha Law Courts allowed prosecutors to detain nine students for 21 days to complete investigations into the incident.

At the time, prosecutors told the court that key forensic examinations, including DNA analysis and other scientific tests, were still underway and that more time was needed before decisions on charges could be made.

The court heard that investigators were examining possible offences related to arson and murder and were seeking to establish the role played by each suspect.

Chief Magistrate Abdulqadir Ramadhan ordered that the students be held at the Nakuru Children's Home during the detention period.

The court also granted them access to officers from the Children's Department, legal representation and other support services.

Since the suspects are minors, the court barred the public and the media from publishing or disseminating their images.

Investigators had earlier informed the court that an alleged plan to torch the dormitory was conceived at about 9pm and carried out about three hours later.

According to information presented during the investigations, forensic analysis of CCTV footage captured movements before the fire, while matchboxes, mattresses and paraffin were allegedly obtained before the blaze erupted shortly after midnight.

Detectives from the DCI Child Protection Unit, assisted by counsellors, also interviewed students and other persons of interest as part of the investigations.

Investigators further cited grievances allegedly raised by some students against the school administration, including concerns over changes to the examination calendar and other school programmes.

While announcing the charges, the ODPP also expressed concern over what it described as a rise in arson incidents and related criminal activity in schools across the country.

“The DPP expresses deep concern over the recent increase in reported incidents of arson and other related acts of criminal conduct in educational institutions across the country,” the statement said.

The prosecution agency warned that those found responsible for such offences would be held accountable under the law.