Naivasha: Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba revealed that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations is currently holding and questioning eight learners identified as persons of interest in the recent fire incident at Utumishi Girls Academy. The Education CS stated that investigators are diligently working to establish the roles of these suspects in the planning and execution of the fire, and those found responsible will be charged according to the law.
According to Kenya News Agency, investigations further uncovered that the school failed to adhere to safety requirements outlined in the School Safety Manual and the Basic Education Regulations. During a media briefing on Friday, the CS confirmed that the tragic incident claimed the lives of 16 learners, injured 79 others, and accounted for all 808 learners who were present at the school when the fire broke out. Seven learners remain hospitalized, while the others have been treated and discharged.
The bodies of the deceased have been transferred to the Naivasha Sub-County Hospital Mortuary for DNA identification, and parents and guardians have been urged to assist in this process. Ogamba noted that congestion in the dormitory and a locked exit door exacerbated the situation, violating safety regulations that require unobstructed evacuation routes, which significantly hindered rescue efforts.
In response to the tragedy, the Government has dissolved the school’s Board of Management due to their failure to ensure compliance with safety standards. The Teachers Service Commission has initiated disciplinary action against the school principal for neglecting safety regulations. Additionally, two teachers who were aware of planned unrest involving some Form Three learners but failed to act will also face disciplinary proceedings.
Ogamba also mentioned that the scope of the investigation has been expanded to consider possible negligence by officers from the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission. Any officer found negligent will face both disciplinary and legal consequences. Authorities are urging for calm as the investigation continues, while families endure the difficult process of identifying the deceased, and injured learners continue their recovery.
