The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has announced a major breakthrough in investigations into the deadly fire that engulfed a dormitory at Utumishi Girls Senior Secondary School in Gilgil, Nakuru County, killing 16 students and leaving the nation in mourning.
In a statement issued on Sunday, May 31, 2026, the DCI confirmed that investigators had positively identified seven students believed to have participated in the arson attack through forensic analysis of CCTV footage recovered from the school.
According to the statement, the breakthrough followed an extensive review of evidence by forensic experts.
The DCI said that “following the on-going in-depth investigation into the tragic fire incident”, investigators had made significant progress and that “a major breakthrough has been achieved.”
The agency revealed that “after conducting a thorough detailed forensic analysis of the CCTV footage recovered from the school”, investigators were able to identify the students linked to the incident.
According to the statement, “a positive identification of the students who lit the fire has been realized.”
The investigators further disclosed that “further analysis of the CCTV footage, conducted in collaboration with the teachers, has enabled the investigation team to confirm the identity of seven students who participated in the arson before escaping the scene.”
The development comes days after authorities announced the arrest of eight suspects in connection with the tragedy that occurred on Thursday, May 28.
The DCI stated that “of the eight suspects previously arrested, six have been positively identified and confirmed through the footage.”
Investigators also revealed that “the seventh identified student was among those earlier released to their parents and is currently not in custody.”
However, by Sunday afternoon, security agencies had tracked and arrested the suspect in Njoro, further tightening the net around those linked to the fire.
The DCI added that “efforts are now underway to trace and arrest her,” a process that culminated in the arrest.
Severe burns
Meanwhile, postmortem examinations conducted on the bodies of the 16 students confirmed that all the victims succumbed to severe burn injuries sustained during the inferno.
The DCI said “the post-mortem examinations of the sixteen deceased students were conducted at Naivasha Sub-County Referral Hospital Mortuary.”
The examinations, carried out by a team of pathologists led by Dr. Dorothy Njeri, established that “all sixteen students died as a result of severe burns.”
The tragedy has become one of the deadliest school fire incidents in Kenya in recent years, reigniting concerns over student safety, school security, dormitory standards, and learner discipline.
During the postmortem process, families were allowed to view the bodies of their loved ones while receiving psychosocial support from the Kenya Red Cross.
The statement noted that “the Kenya Red Cross teams provided psychosocial support to the bereaved families.”
Investigators also collected DNA samples to facilitate formal identification of the remains.
According to the DCI, DNA reference samples were “collected from the families of the deceased students to facilitate formal identification of the remains.”
Appeal for cooperation
The DCI thanked parents, students, and members of the public who have assisted investigators since the tragedy occurred.
The agency said it particularly appreciated parents and students who had volunteered information and helped investigators review evidence.
The statement said the DCI “thanks members of the public, parents, guardians, students and the school community for their continued calm, patience, and full cooperation with the investigating team during this difficult period.”
The agency further noted that “we particularly appreciate the parents and students who have actively assisted the investigators by providing statements and supporting the review of evidence.”
Investigators have urged anyone with information relevant to the case to continue cooperating with authorities as the probe enters a critical stage.
The DCI emphasized that “the DCI remains committed to conducting a thorough, professional, and impartial inquiry to deliver justice for the victims and their families.”
The Utumishi Girls tragedy has triggered nationwide calls for accountability, enhanced safety measures in boarding schools, and a deeper examination of factors contributing to unrest among learners.
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Authorities say investigations are continuing and more arrests could follow as detectives piece together the events that led to the devastating fire.
By Joseph Mambili
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