Kenya Mourns 16 Students Killed in School Fire as Calls for Justice Grow

Hundreds of mourners gathered in Gilgil, Kenya, to honor 16 students who died in a fire at Utumishi Girls Academy last month. Police say the blaze was deliberately started by students protesting school policies, and nine suspects remain in custody. During the memorial service, families and leaders called for justice and improved school safety. The tragedy has renewed concerns over recurring school fires in Kenya, where the Red Cross has responded to 37 such incidents this year.

Hundreds of mourners gathered on Friday in the central Kenyan town of Gilgil to pay tribute to 16 students who lost their lives in a devastating fire at Utumishi Girls Academy last month. The memorial service brought together grieving families, fellow students, community members, government officials and religious leaders, all united in remembrance of the victims and in calls for justice.

The remains of the deceased students were displayed in white coffins decorated with flowers and topped with framed portraits of each girl. The coffins were arranged before relatives and mourners as emotional tributes were delivered throughout the ceremony.

Authorities have arrested nine suspects in connection with the tragedy. Police investigations indicate that the fire, which occurred on May 28, was deliberately started inside a dormitory. The suspects, all students at the school, remain in police custody as investigations continue.

According to information obtained during interrogations, the fire allegedly began when a mattress positioned near a dormitory exit was set alight using paraffin and a matchstick. Investigators say the accused students claimed they were protesting several school decisions, including changes to the examination timetable and a requirement for students to contribute financially toward a cultural event.

Local media reports, citing statements made by the suspects, also indicated that peer influence may have played a role. The students allegedly referred to a recent strike by a neighbouring boys' school, which they said contributed to the atmosphere that led to the incident.

During the memorial service, hundreds of Utumishi Girls Academy students sang a solemn hymn expressing hope and faith amid grief. The emotional gathering reflected the deep impact the tragedy has had on the school community and the country at large.

One of the religious leaders presiding over the service recalled surviving Kenya’s deadliest school fire in 2001, when 67 boys died in a dormitory blaze in Machakos County. The reference underscored the recurring nature of school fire tragedies in the country and the urgent need for stronger preventive measures.

Speakers at the memorial called for accountability and justice for the victims, while also urging authorities to address the broader issue of school safety. Their concerns come as dozens of schools across Kenya have recently been closed due to student unrest and related security concerns.

The Kenya Red Cross reported that it has responded to 37 school fires since the beginning of the year, highlighting the continuing challenge faced by educational institutions nationwide.

School fires have long been a recurring problem in Kenya. Some incidents have been linked to acts of arson by students protesting disciplinary measures, examination schedules or other school policies, while others have resulted from electrical faults and infrastructure failures.

Safety experts have repeatedly pointed to overcrowded dormitories, inadequate emergency exits and insufficient firefighting equipment as major factors contributing to fatalities and extensive property damage during such incidents.

Following the Utumishi Girls Academy tragedy, Kenya’s Ministry of Education suspended the school principal for failing to comply with fire safety regulations. The ministry also disclosed that more than 300 schools had been closed after another deadly school fire in 2024 that claimed the lives of 21 boys in central Kenya.

The memorial service was attended by Kenya’s First Lady, , alongside government officials, religious leaders and community representatives. During the event, the presiding bishop questioned how much longer Kenyan children and families would continue to suffer from recurring school fire disasters, urging authorities to take decisive action to prevent future tragedies.