Released, Then Linked: Police Hunt Key Utumishi Girls Arson Suspect

By Suleiman Mbatiah

Police have launched a manhunt for a student suspected of taking part in the arson attack that killed 16 learners at Utumishi Girls Senior School in Gilgil, after investigators identified her through forensic analysis of CCTV footage recovered from the school.

The student had initially been released to her parents during the early stages of the investigation but has since been identified by detectives as one of the alleged masterminds behind the fire. Authorities say she is currently not in custody and efforts to trace her are ongoing.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the breakthrough followed a detailed forensic examination of surveillance footage retrieved from the school and enhanced analysis conducted at the National Police Service Forensics Laboratory. Investigators also worked closely with teachers to review the recordings.

According to the DCI, seven students were identified as having participated in the arson attack before fleeing the scene. Six of the suspects had already been arrested and were positively identified through the footage, while the seventh suspect remains at large.

“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,” stated John Marete, the Director of Liaison and Corporate Communications at the DCI.

The latest developments come as detectives seek to establish how the fire was planned and executed. The tragedy occurred on May 28 and ranks among the deadliest school fire incidents in recent years, sparking national outrage and calls for accountability.

Meanwhile, post-mortem examinations on the bodies of the 16 victims were conducted 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.

Families of the victims have since been allowed to view the bodies of their loved ones, while DNA reference samples were collected to facilitate formal identification. The process was necessary because the intensity of the fire severely affected some of the remains.

“The DCI remains committed to conducting a thorough, professional, and impartial inquiry to deliver justice for the victims and their families,” said Marete, while also appealing to members of the public to continue providing information that may assist in concluding the case and securing justice for the victims.