• Eight students arrested following a deadly fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Kenya.
• The fire resulted in 16 fatalities and left 79 students injured.
• Preliminary investigations reveal negligence and insufficient safety measures.
• Two teachers reportedly failed to act on warnings of potential unrest.
• Past incidents highlight the recurring issue of school fires in Kenya.

Kenyan authorities have arrested eight female students on suspicion of arson after a devastating fire broke out at the Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, resulting in the deaths of 16 students and injuring 79 others. The blaze occurred in the early hours on Thursday and has been linked to allegations of negligence and overcrowding at the school, according to BBC and Reuters.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations indicated that the arrested students are considered "persons of interest" in relation to the fire, while Education Minister Julius Ogamba highlighted that two teachers had been informed of possible plans for unrest but failed to intervene. The school administration is facing potential legal and disciplinary actions for safety violations, including a locked emergency exit during the fire, according to South China Morning Post, Africanews, and Al Jazeera.

The inquiry into the tragedy underscores a troubling pattern of school fires in Kenya, often linked to student protests against harsh discipline and unsatisfactory living conditions. Past incidents include a fire in Nyeri County that resulted in 21 deaths in 2024, and a notable fire in 2001 at Kyanguli Secondary School, which left 67 boys dead, as reported by Los Angeles Times and Africanews.