Preliminary investigations have established that the fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil was an act of arson.
Education Cabinet Secretary (CS), Julius Migos Ogamba, said that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is holding and questioning eight learners identified as persons of interest in connection with the incident.
The CS said investigators are working to establish the individual roles of the suspects in the planning and execution of the fire, adding that those found culpable will face charges in accordance with the law.
Ogamba added that investigations further established that the school failed to comply with safety requirements as outlined in the School Safety Manual and the Basic Education Regulations.
Addressing the Media on Friday, the CS confirmed that 16 learners have died while 79 others injured and that all 808 learners who were in the school at the time of the incident have been accounted for.
He said seven learners remain admitted in hospital, while the rest of the injured have been treated and discharged.
The CS said the bodies of the 16 learners have been transferred to the Naivasha Sub-County Hospital Mortuary for preservation and DNA identification.
He urged parents and guardians to report to the facility to assist in the identification process.
Ogamba said there was congestion in the dormitory at the time of the fire and that one exit door had been locked, contrary to safety regulations requiring unobstructed evacuation routes.
He noted that the lapses significantly worsened the impact of the fire and hindered rescue efforts.
At the same time, the Government has dissolved the Board of Management of the school for failing to ensure compliance with safety standards.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has also been notified and has initiated disciplinary action against the school principal for failing to enforce safety regulations.
Two teachers who were informed of planned unrest involving a section of Form Three learners but failed to act will also face disciplinary proceedings.
“The teachers did not take appropriate action before the arson, despite having been informed beforehand,” Ogamba said.
Ogamba said investigations have been expanded to include possible negligence by officers from the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission.
He said any officer found to have been negligent will face both disciplinary and legal action.
“We shall provide further information in due course as investigations progress,” he said.
Authorities have urged for calm as investigations continue, even as families begin the painful process of identifying the deceased and injured learners continue receiving treatment.
By Lilian Gichohi and Aron Kinyamasyo
