Kenyan Court Charges Eight Schoolgirls With Murder Over Deadly Dormitory Fire

A Kenyan court has formally charged eight schoolgirls with the murder of 16 fellow students who died in a devastating dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls’ Academy Senior School in May, in a case that has reignited concerns over safety in the country’s boarding schools.

The eight girls, who are between 15 and 18 years old, appeared before the Kibera High Court on Wednesday, where they all pleaded not guilty to the murder charges. Presiding Judge Diana Kavedza directed that, because the defendants are minors, their identities should remain protected throughout the proceedings.

The charges stem from a tragic fire that swept through a girls’ dormitory at the school in Gilgil, Nakuru County, in late May. The blaze killed 16 students and injured 79 others, making it one of Kenya’s deadliest school disasters in recent years. Investigators have not publicly disclosed detailed evidence linking the accused students to the fire, and prosecutors have released few details as the case proceeds.

Earlier investigations indicated that authorities suspected the fire was deliberately started, with reports alleging that a mattress was set ablaze near one of the dormitory exits. The fire spread rapidly through a building housing more than 200 students, and emergency responders said many girls were forced to flee through a single exit after another escape route reportedly remained inaccessible.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions confirmed that the eight students have been charged with murder but has not released further information regarding the evidence or motive behind the alleged crime. The court also postponed a decision on bail while considering submissions from both the prosecution and the defence.

The tragedy has intensified national concern over safety standards in Kenyan boarding schools. School fires have occurred repeatedly over the years, with some linked to student unrest, poor living conditions, overcrowded dormitories, and inadequate fire safety measures. Following the Utumishi Girls’ Academy fire, Kenyan authorities temporarily closed more than 200 senior schools to review safety standards, although most have since resumed classes.

Kenya has experienced several fatal school fires in recent decades. In 2024, a fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy killed 21 children, while the country’s deadliest school fire in recent history occurred in 2001 at Kyanguli Secondary School, where 67 students lost their lives in a blaze that authorities later attributed to arson.

The ongoing case is expected to draw significant public attention as prosecutors seek to establish responsibility for one of the country’s most tragic school disasters. Meanwhile, education officials and child welfare advocates continue to call for stronger fire safety regulations, improved student welfare, and enhanced mental health support to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.