In Gilgil, Nakuru County, a pre-dawn fire broke out at Utumishi Girls Senior Secondary School, tragically claiming the lives of 16 students who were asleep in their dormitory.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has been investigating the incident, which preliminary reports suggest resulted from inadequate supervision and other contributing circumstances.CCTV footage helped authorities identify seven students suspected of involvement in setting the fire.

Of the eight students previously arrested, six were positively identified through video evidence, while one girl, initially released to her parents, went missing.She was later apprehended in Njoro, Nakuru County, as she was leaving for church with her parents.The tragedy has sparked nationwide conversations on parental responsibility, school management accountability, and student behaviour.

Many Kenyans expressed sympathy for the families of the deceased, while also reflecting on the need for stricter oversight and guidance within schools.

Parents of accused students have protested at police stations, demanding clarity about their children's welfare and challenging the investigation's conclusions.

The incident has left the surviving students traumatised and raised broader questions about safety protocols in Kenyan schools, emergency preparedness, and the responsibilities of both educators and parents in safeguarding learners.