CCTV Suggests Students May Have Started Fire That Killed 16 Schoolgirls in Kenya

Investigators in Nakuru County, Kenya, are examining CCTV footage that reportedly shows the moments leading up to a deadly fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, where 16 students lost their lives and dozens more were injured.

The fire broke out in the early hours of Thursday, May 28, inside a school dormitory, prompting a major criminal investigation into how the incident began.

According to detectives, surveillance footage captured activity around 12:10 a.m., showing a small group of students entering the dormitory while most occupants were asleep. The group is seen moving quietly through the building and briefly stopping near a section identified as Cube 11.

Investigators say one of the students appeared to avoid showing her face to the CCTV cameras and was seen carrying an item believed to be used to reduce noise while walking.

The footage reportedly shows part of the group separating, with some heading toward the dormitory exit while two students remain behind.

Authorities allege that the two remaining individuals may have been involved in igniting an initial fire using a match, after which they walked away from the scene.

Further examination of the video suggests the pair later moved toward another section of the dormitory where mattresses were kept, where a second fire is believed to have been started. This second blaze reportedly spread quickly through the building.

After the fires were set, the students are seen leaving the dormitory without raising any alarm, according to investigators.

Within minutes, smoke and flames engulfed parts of the dormitory. By approximately 12:13 a.m., students inside began waking up to thick smoke, leading to panic as many attempted to escape.

Emergency responders later confirmed that 16 students died in the incident, while 79 others sustained injuries of varying severity.

Authorities say investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances behind the fire and the roles of those captured in the CCTV footage.

• Tweet
• Share
• Share
• Share
• Share