Kenyan police have taken eight female students into custody on suspicion of setting fire to a dormitory at Utumishi Girls School in central Kenya. The Thursday morning blaze claimed 16 lives and left 79 others injured, prompting a massive police investigation.

Eight female students detained by DCI in Utumishi Girls School fire

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announced Friday that eight girls were arrested for allegedly planning and executing the arson attack. According to the police, the suspects were identified after a day‑long interrogation of 30 students and a review of CCTV footage. The arrests mark the first major breakthrough in a case that has shocked the nation.

79 injuries and 16 fatalities: scale of Thursday's blaze

The fire ripped through a dormitory housing boarders, killing 16 children whose bodies were taken to a government hospital morgue for DNA identification. Dozens more suffered burns and smoke inhalation;officials reported 79 injuries in total. As the Associated Press noted,the tragedy underscores the vulnerability of crowded school facilities that often lack proper fire safety equipment.

Parents left in limbo as authorities withhold details

Parents gathered at the school on Friday reported receiving no clear information about the eight detainees or the timeline for releasing the remaining students. One mother, who asked to remain anonymous, said, "We are just here and no one is giving us any information." The police have asked families to return home and come back the next day, leving many in a state of uncertainty.

Safety gaps in Kenyan boarding schools highlighted by Utumishi fire

Education officials have long warned that overcrowded dormitories and a lack of firefighting resources make schools in East Africa prone to such disasters. The Utumishi incident revives concerns that previous fires were blamed on electrical faults or student‑initiated arson over disciplinary disputes. The school, which serves over 600 underprivileged girls, relies heavily on donations and government aid, raising questions about funding for essential safety upgrades.

Who motivated the arson and why?

Investigators have not yet disclosed a motive, and the DCI continues to interview students, teachers, and witnesses while forensic teams analyze the scene. The lack of a clear motive leaves open the possibility of personal grievances,disciplinary retaliation, or other unknown factors. As the report states, "The motive of the arson attack wasn’t yet known," highlighting a critical gap in the ongoing inquiry.