The investigation into the deadly fire at Utumishi Girls Academy has revealed new details about what may have motivated the arson attack that claimed the lives of 16 students and left several others injured.
According to investigators, at least seven students who are currently in police custody have been questioned, and their statements have provided insight into events leading up to the tragedy.
The students are said to have expressed frustration over decisions made by the school administration in the days before the fire.
One of the main issues raised by the suspects was the decision to move examination dates forward from June 16 to June 2.
Reports indicate that some Form Four students were unhappy with the change, arguing that it reduced the time available for preparation. Investigators believe the decision may have contributed to growing tension within the school.
The inquiry has also uncovered disagreements linked to a cultural event. Preliminary findings suggest that some students were dissatisfied after being directed to contribute money towards the event.
The learners reportedly felt the responsibility should not have been placed on them because similar activities had previously been funded by the school.
This disagreement is said to have further increased frustrations among a section of the students.
Investigators have also learned that some of the suspects wanted to participate in the wave of school unrest that has been reported in different parts of the country over the past two weeks.
During questioning, the students allegedly admitted that they intended to burn the dormitory as a form of protest and to join the trend of strikes being witnessed in schools.
Detectives say the attack appears to have been planned and executed within a short period. Preliminary findings indicate that discussions about setting the dormitory on fire began at around 9 p.m., with the fire breaking out about three hours later at midnight.
Authorities are now trying to establish whether any outsiders were involved and how the students obtained the kerosene believed to have been used in the attack.
The seven suspects, who were reportedly identified through CCTV footage released by the school, told investigators that they did not intend to cause injuries or deaths. They claimed their objective was to destroy the dormitory to express their anger over the issues they were facing.
Following the incident, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen directed schools across the country to install CCTV cameras in key areas to improve monitoring and help prevent similar cases.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba also ordered fresh inspections of all boarding schools nationwide. The exercise is expected to be completed within 10 days, with action to be taken against institutions found to be putting students at risk.
The inspections will mainly focus on dormitories after preliminary reports from the Interior Ministry indicated that many school fires recorded in recent years have targeted sleeping quarters in boarding schools.
Authorities hope the measures will strengthen safety standards and prevent future tragedies in learning institutions.
