The razed dormitory at Utumishi Girls Academy/ENOS TECHEInvestigators probing the fatal fire at Utumishi Girls Senior Secondary School in Gilgil, Nakuru County, have revealed that the blaze primarily affected the upper floor of a two-storey dormitory.
The ground floor, however, remained largely intact.
According to preliminary findings from the multi-agency team led by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the affected structure, identified as the Meline Waithera Dormitory, suffered extensive damage on the first floor.
The dormitory’s upper level is divided into twelve cubicles, which collectively housed 135 double-decker beds, accommodating a large number of students at the time of the incident.
"The dormitory is a two-storey building in which the first floor sustained extensive fire damage, while the ground floor remained largely intact," the findings by the team stated.
Investigators say the high occupancy level and compartmentalised layout of the dormitory are key factors being examined as part of efforts to reconstruct the sequence of events and understand how the fire spread so rapidly.
A detailed scene assessment has been conducted by specialists drawn from Crime Scene Investigators (CSIs), the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau, forensic imaging experts, and DNA analysts.
The team has been focusing on identifying the suspected point of origin, analysing burn patterns, and determining whether accelerants or other ignition sources may have been involved.
"Crime scene processing and documentation continue today, May 29, 2026, as investigators work to evaluate the integrity of electrical installations and structural fire dynamics to establish the exact cause and sequence of events," the statement on findings added.
Meanwhile, the investigation has so far confirmed the recovery of sixteen bodies from the affected dormitory.
"The bodies were moved to Naivasha Sub-county Referral Hospital Mortuary pending post- mortem examinations and formal identification," reads the update.
Authorities say the process of documentation and forensic analysis at the scene is still ongoing as investigators seek to establish a precise timeline of events.
As part of the broader inquiry, detectives have also conducted interviews with students, teachers, and other witnesses.
CCTV footage from the school is being reviewed to help reconstruct movements and identify any unusual activity before the fire broke out.
In another development, investigators said they have identified eight students as persons of interest in connection with the suspected arson attack.
The eight have since been arrested and are in police custody as detectives continue to piece together evidence.
The National Police Service extended condolences to the families affected by the tragedy and assured the public that a thorough and impartial investigation is underway.
"The Directorate assures all stakeholders that a thorough, professional, and impartial investigation is underway to establish the exact cause and full circumstances surrounding the fire and to ensure that justice is served, bringing much-needed closure to the bereaved families and the entire school community," DCI concluded in the statement.
