At least nine suspects linked to the deadly fire at Utumishi Girls Academy are set to face 16 counts of murder after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) approved their prosecution following a review of evidence gathered by investigators.
The decision comes after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) submitted its investigation file on the tragic May 28 inferno that claimed the lives of 16 students.
In a statement, the DPP confirmed that sufficient evidence had been established to support murder charges against the implicated students.
Also Read
“Upon careful assessment of the evidence, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has approved charges against the implicated students. The suspects will face sixteen (16) counts of murder arising from the incident,” the DPP stated.
Investigations into the tragedy began immediately after the fire broke out, with detectives seeking to establish the cause of the blaze and determine whether criminal actions contributed to the loss of life.
The probe gained momentum following the emergence of CCTV footage allegedly showing several students involved in starting the fire. The suspects were subsequently arrested and detained as investigators collected witness statements, forensic evidence, and other materials considered crucial to the case.
The DCI later forwarded its findings to the DPP for legal review and recommendations on the appropriate charges to be preferred against those implicated.
The approval of murder charges significantly escalates the case, transforming it from a fire-related investigation into a homicide prosecution with potentially severe legal consequences for the accused.
Beyond the Utumishi Girls Academy case, the DPP expressed concern over the growing number of arson incidents being reported in schools across the country.
According to the prosecution office, the increasing trend poses a serious threat to the safety of students, teachers, and school property. Data from the Ministry of Education indicates that more than 100 schools have experienced arson attacks, while over 200 institutions have been forced to close due to unrest.
“The DPP expresses deep concern over the recent increase in reported incidents of arson and other related acts of criminal conduct in educational institutions across the country,” the statement read.
The DPP further warned that students and members of the public found culpable of arson and related offences would face the full force of the law.
“We wish to caution students and members of the public that individuals found culpable of such criminal offences of this nature will be held accountable in accordance with the law,” the statement added.
The prosecution office also assured the public that the highly sensitive case would be handled with fairness, integrity, and a commitment to establishing the truth, given the widespread public interest it has generated.
The tragic fire, which claimed the lives of 16 students, remains one of the deadliest school disasters in recent years and has sparked renewed calls for enhanced safety measures and discipline management in learning institutions across Kenya.