Kenya holds memorial for 16 girls killed in school arson fire
9 reported
Hundreds of mourners gathered Friday in Gilgil, Kenya, for a memorial service honoring 16 students who died in a fire at Utumishi Girls Academy last month. Police said the blaze was caused by arson, and nine suspects have been arrested. The nine accused girls, also students at the school, remain in police custody. Interrogations revealed the May 28 fire was started by lighting a mattress at the dormitory’s exit with a matchstick and paraffin; no motive has been disclosed. During the service, attendees called for accountability and justice. The Kenya Red Cross reported responding to 37 school fires since the beginning of the year. The Education Ministry previously suspended the school’s principal for failing to comply with fire safety regulations.
What’s reported
The memorial service was held Friday in Gilgil, Kenya, for 16 students killed in a fire at Utumishi Girls Academy.
Police said the fire was caused by arson; nine suspects have been arrested.
The nine accused girls are students at the school and remain in police custody.
Interrogations revealed the May 28 fire was started by lighting a mattress at the dormitory’s exit using a matchstick and paraffin.
No motive has been revealed so far.
The Kenya Red Cross said it had responded to 37 school fires since the beginning of the year.
Last month, Kenya's Education Ministry suspended the principal of Utumishi Girls Academy for failing to comply with school fire safety regulations.
The ministry also said it had closed more than 300 schools following a 2024 fire tragedy that killed 21 boys in central Kenya.
Kenyan first lady Rachel Ruto attended the memorial service.
Key figures
Rachel Ruto, Kenyan first lady
Abigael Wanjiku, school captain at Utumishi Girls Academy
A mother representing the parents (not named)
A presiding bishop (not named)
A presiding official who was a victim of the 2001 school fire (not named)
Sources: abcnews.com
