DCI hunt for seventh student after 6 nabbed linked to Utumishi Girls School deadly fire

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has identified the students allegedly responsible for the dormitory fire that killed 16 learners at Utumishi Girls Senior Secondary School in Gilgil, Nakuru County, and has launched a manhunt for one suspect believed to have played a key role in the tragedy.

In particular, out of the seven suspects, one of a student who had initially been released to her parents during the early stages of the investigation, has since been identified by detectives as one of the alleged masterminds behind the fire.

In an update on the ongoing investigations, the DCI said a major breakthrough was achieved following a detailed forensic analysis of CCTV footage recovered from the school and enhanced review conducted at the Forensic Imaging and Acoustic Laboratory at the National Police Service Forensics Laboratory.

According to investigators, the analysis, conducted in collaboration with teachers, enabled detectives to positively identify seven students who allegedly participated in the arson attack before fleeing the scene.

“After conducting a thorough, detailed forensic analysis of the CCTV footage recovered from the school coupled with enhanced review at the Forensic Imaging and Acoustic Laboratory at DCI National Police Service Forensics Laboratory, a positive identification of the students who lit the fire has been realised,” the DCI said in a statement.

Of the seven identified suspects, six had already been arrested and positively linked to the incident through the surveillance footage.

The seventh suspect, a student who had initially been released to her parents during the early stages of the investigation, has since been identified by detectives as one of the alleged masterminds behind the fire.

The student is currently not in custody, and authorities have launched efforts to trace and arrest her.

“Further analysis of the CCTV footage, conducted in collaboration with the teachers, has enabled the investigation team to confirm the identity of seven students who participated in the arson before escaping the scene,” said DCI Director of Liaison and Corporate Communications John Marete.

The latest developments come as detectives intensify investigations to establish how the deadly fire was planned and executed.

The tragedy, which occurred on May 28, 2026, ranks among the deadliest school fire incidents in Kenya in recent years and has sparked national outrage and calls for accountability.

Meanwhile, post-mortem examinations on the bodies of the 16 victims have been completed at Naivasha Sub-County Referral Hospital Mortuary by a team of pathologists led by Dr Dorothy Njeri.

The examinations established that all the students died from severe burn injuries sustained during the fire.

The DCI said families of the victims were allowed to view the bodies of their loved ones, while Kenya Red Cross teams provided psychosocial support to bereaved relatives at the mortuary.

DNA reference samples were also collected from family members to facilitate formal identification of the victims, a process necessitated by the extent of the burns suffered by some of the deceased.

“The DCI remains committed to conducting a thorough, professional and impartial inquiry to deliver justice for the victims and their families,” Marete said.

He appealed to members of the public to continue providing information that could assist investigators in concluding the case and ensuring those responsible are brought to justice.