The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has launched a full probe into the fire tragedy at Utumishi Girls Senior Secondary School in Gilgil, Nakuru County, that left 16 students dead.
In a statement on May 29, 2026, the DCI confirmed that emergency and rescue operations have ended and a homicide-led team has taken over investigations.
Investigators have since processed the Meline Waithera Dormitory scene, where forensic experts, intelligence officers, and DNA specialists are analyzing evidence. The upper floor of the dormitory suffered the worst damage.
Forensic Teams Examine Fire Scene
The dormitory housed 135 double-decker beds on the affected upper floor. Investigators recovered 16 bodies, which were transferred to Naivasha Sub-county Referral Hospital Mortuary for identification and post-mortems.
DCI teams are now analyzing burn patterns, possible ignition sources, and electrical systems to determine how the fire started and spread. Officers are also reviewing CCTV footage from the school.
Witnesses, including students and teachers, have already recorded statements as detectives piece together the timeline of events. Investigators are working to establish whether any external factors contributed to the blaze.
Eight Students Arrested as Persons of Interest
In a major development, detectives have identified eight students as persons of interest in the suspected arson case. The eight have been arrested and are in police custody.
Authorities say they are examining whether the fire was planned and how it was executed. Investigations remain active as forensic teams continue gathering evidence.
Tragedy Deepens After Parent Dies in Road Crash
In a separate incident, a parent traveling to the school after the tragedy died in a road accident along the Nakuru-Gilgil Highway.
The woman was heading to Utumishi Girls when the vehicle she was in collided head-on with another car at Kariandusi. Her husband survived with injuries and is receiving treatment in hospital.
The school remains under tight investigation as authorities work to establish the exact cause of the deadly fire.
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