Eight Students Arrested After Deadly School Fire in Kenya

On Thursday, a tragic fire at Utumishi Girl Academy in Nakuru County, Kenya, claimed the lives of 16 children and hospitalized 79 others. The fire broke out in the early hours, affecting a two-story building with 135 bunk beds.

Following preliminary investigations, the Kenya Police Service identified eight students as persons of interest in connection with the suspected arson attack. The Director of Criminal Investigations stated that interviews with students, teachers, and staff are being conducted, and CCTV footage and forensic evidence are being reviewed to determine the cause of the fire, which remains unknown.

Parents gathered at the school, distraught over the incident. This incident follows a troubling history of school fires in Kenya, with reports indicating 63 arson cases in 2018 alone.

The Ministry of Education has closed around 350 schools for failing to comply with safety standards, although it remains unclear if these measures were implemented prior to the incident.