A quiet night at the Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil turned into a scene of horror that has left the nation in shock. CCTV footage has now emerged, providing a grim, minute-by-minute account of how a dormitory fire was intentionally set, leading to the deaths of 16 students.
DCI detectives, led by Martin Nyuguto, have used this footage to piece together the final moments before the tragedy. Their investigation has already resulted in the arrest of eight students, including a primary suspect who was previously released.
The Midnight Meeting
The footage begins at precisely 12:10 AM on a Thursday night. While most of the school slept, five girls were seen walking outside the Meline Waithera dormitory. They appeared to be moving with purpose.
The group stopped at an area known as Cube 11. For a brief moment, they stood together in consultation. Some of the girls attempted to hide their faces from the cameras, and many were seen carrying their sandals to avoid making noise.
A minute later, most of the group ran toward the dormitory exit. However, two girls stayed behind.
The two students stayed behind with matches and a bag. They lit the fire and walked away without any sign of worry.
A Fire Set to Trap
The suspects reportedly used kerosene to ensure the fire took hold quickly. They targeted the bedding area and, most significantly, started the blaze near the main exit. This choice of location proved to be fatal.
By 12:13 AM, the fire began to spread with terrifying speed. Within just five minutes, the entire dormitory was engulfed in flames. Some students were jolted awake by the heat and smoke, running for their lives as the fire reached those still in their beds.
The Fatal Bottleneck
As the fire grew, the escape routes became death traps. The fire at the main door blocked the primary way out. When students rushed to the emergency exit, they found it was locked.
The physical evidence at the scene tells a harrowing story. Ten students were found dead at the door, having failed to break out. Six others lost their lives in different parts of the dormitory as the smoke and flames overwhelmed them.
The Investigation Continues
The scene at the dormitory remains a stark reminder of the night's events, showing extensive damage to the structure. Beyond the provided source, it is worth noting that Utumishi Girls Academy is a prominent school in Nakuru County, often associated with the Kenya Police Service, which has made this security breach even more startling to the public.
Police are currently urging parents to remain patient as the DCI continues to gather more evidence from the CCTV recordings. Anyone with further information is being asked to come forward to assist with the ongoing criminal proceedings.
