Students under investigation over the deadly Utumishi Girls Academy dormitory fire have reportedly revealed what they claim were the motives behind the arson attack that left 16 learners dead and dozens injured.
According to preliminary findings, dissatisfaction among some Form Four students intensified after the school administration reportedly moved examination dates forward from June 16 to June 2. Investigators have also established that tensions existed over a directive requiring students to contribute funds toward a cultural event that had previously been financed by the school.
The suspects, who are currently in police custody, allegedly told detectives that they were angered by the decisions and viewed the fire as a form of protest against the administration. Some reportedly admitted that they also wanted to join a growing wave of student unrest and school strikes witnessed across the country in recent weeks.
Investigations indicate that plans for the arson attack may have been made at around 9 p.m., just hours before the fire broke out shortly after midnight. Detectives are now probing how the students allegedly obtained kerosene used in the attack and whether any outsiders played a role in facilitating the incident.
The suspects reportedly maintained that they did not intend to kill or injure anyone but only sought to burn the dormitory to express their grievances. Authorities, however, continue to investigate the circumstances that led to one of the deadliest school fires in recent years.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has directed schools to install CCTV cameras in key areas, while Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has ordered nationwide inspections of boarding schools to strengthen student safety and prevent similar incidents.