Gilgil: The government has successfully matched the DNA results of all the 16 students who were killed during a night-long dormitory fire tragedy in Utumishi Girls in Gilgil. The May 28 incident, which was allegedly started by nine students, left 16 dead and burnt beyond recognition, prompting the state to order DNA collection and profiling to match those of their biological parents.
According to Kenya News Agency, after a week-long exercise, the government chemist announced that all the profiling done had reported positive results, allowing mourning parents and relatives to plan for burial ceremonies. Government chemist Dr. Joseph Kimani stated that the process involved analysis of blood swabs, bones, and tissue samples, and that the completed DNA profiles had been handed to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Lead pathologist Dr. Titus Ngurungu confirmed that DNA samples from the deceased and their parents had all returned positive matches. Ngurungu noted that most victims had been burnt beyond recognition due to the raging fires, making DNA analysis essential. Parents, relatives, and guardians, who camped at the facility, were overcome by high emotions as they identified their children’s remains, some unable to come to terms with the reality.
Reports indicated that most of the learners had only ‘cremation dust’ to identify them, highlighting the painful experience the fire inflicted on the fateful night. Nine students aged between 15 and 17 years, accused of starting the fire, are in custody at Nakuru Children’s Remand home after a Naivasha court denied them bond pending the completion of investigations by the DCI.
However, after successfully viewing the remains, the parents opposed the government’s decision to delay burials by 11 days, despite the successful DNA identification. The distraught parents, who camped at Naivasha Sub-County mortuary, described the state’s move as insensitive. A Muslim family was allowed to retrieve their daughter’s remains for burial in Kwale County, in accordance with Islamic rites.
Parisoi Ole Maripet, whose daughter Purity Naisula was among the deceased, criticized the planned requiem mass and called for the immediate release of the bodies. John Muiruri, whose Grade 10 daughter Nicole Muiruri perished in the fire, echoed similar sentiments, urging the state to release the remains without further delay. Naivasha Imam Sheikh Ali welcomed the release of the Muslim student’s body and called on society to address rising cases of indiscipline among pupils.
Gilgil Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner Stanley Langat stated that a multi-agency committee had convened an emergency meeting in response to parents’ complaints. He added that families would be informed of any decision to revise the burial timeline and confirmed that the state still intends to hold a requiem mass for all 16 students in Gilgil town.
