By Bonface Mulyungi

DCI officers who have been processing the crime scene at Utumishi Girls’ Academy in Gilgil say preliminary findings link the incident to a possible arson attack.

Detectives are working to gather details of what happened prior to the tragic late-night inferno. Investigators have already questioned more than 20 students, the school matron, security guards and the school administration to piece together details that could lead to a breakthrough in their probe.

Investigators arrived at the crime scene on a mission to unravel the motive and the cause of the tragic fire that claimed 16 lives at Utumishi Girls’ Academy in Gilgil. Police want to establish whether this was a case of arson or an accident.

The detectives have recorded statements, with police saying they are investigating a suspected case of arson.

Key findings from witnesses tell a tragic story of how the fire started at the main entrance to the Meline Waithera block, spreading quickly through the dormitory.

Students attempted to escape through the main entrance, with some suffering burns in the process. Their colleagues who tried to escape through the dormitory’s emergency door were not as fortunate. The emergency door was locked. Sixteen students were burnt beyond recognition at the emergency exit.

Survivors told police that security guards attempted to break open the emergency door to rescue the students, but it was too late. Investigators are also questioning why the school matron was absent and unreachable when the incident happened.

Police have questioned the school principal, two security guards and more than 20 students. CCTV footage is another crucial element of the ongoing probe. Police say their investigation also includes establishing whether the inferno may have been caused by an electrical fault.

So far, the government is yet to issue any official statement on the progress of the investigations.