Fresh developments have emerged in the investigation into the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls Academy that claimed the lives of 16 students, as detectives continue gathering evidence to establish the circumstances surrounding the deadly incident.
According to exclusive CCTV footage obtained by Citizen TV, investigators believe they have captured the moments leading up to the fire, including the actions of seven students who are now in police custody over the incident.
Homicide detectives probing the case say forensic analysis of the CCTV footage allegedly placed the suspects at the scene on the night of May 28, helping investigators piece together a timeline of events before the inferno broke out.
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The footage reportedly shows five students entering the ill-fated dormitory shortly after midnight, approximately ten minutes past 12:00 a.m.
The students are seen moving cautiously through the dormitory, seemingly checking whether their fellow students were asleep.
Investigators say the group was first seen inspecting Cube 11 before proceeding to Cube 13. Moments later, they emerged appearing hurried, with detectives alleging that kerosene had been used to ignite the fire.
The footage further shows two students at Cube 11 allegedly setting a blurred object ablaze before throwing it inside the sleeping area.
They then moved to adjacent cubes, repeating the same actions before fleeing downstairs. Detectives estimate the entire operation took approximately two minutes, after which the fire spread rapidly throughout the dormitory.
Some students reportedly woke up immediately after noticing the flames and smoke, alerting their dorm mates as panic spread through the building. Many scrambled for safety as thick smoke engulfed the structure.
Four days after the tragedy, journalists who visited the scene described a devastating picture of destruction.
The dormitory, which housed more than 250 students, was left with charred walls, burnt beds, destroyed mattresses, scorched suitcases and extensive structural damage.
Even the CCTV cameras that captured the incident were destroyed by the fire. Bathrooms, sinks and other facilities within the dormitory also suffered significant damage.
The one-storey building consists of five doors, including two main entrances at the front and rear, one exit door, and two smaller emergency exits on the ground floor. Reports indicate that nine of the victims were found near one of the exit doors.
Investigators are also trying to understand why the fire caused severe destruction on one section of the building while leaving the ground floor largely untouched, with beds neatly arranged and students’ belongings still organized.
Outside the dormitory, evidence of the frantic rescue efforts remains visible, including shattered window panes, burnt mattresses and spent fire extinguishers used by students and responders attempting to contain the blaze.
Police have so far arrested seven students in connection with the incident.
Six suspects were initially apprehended, while the seventh was later traced to her home in Nakuru County after she had reportedly been released to her parents.
The student was subsequently taken to Gilgil, where she was questioned by homicide detectives investigating the case.
As investigations continue, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has called on schools across the country to install CCTV surveillance systems to enhance security, monitor student activities and help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Authorities have assured the public that investigations remain ongoing and that those found responsible will face the full force of the law.