Tragedy in Kenya as 16 pupils die in dormitory fire, eight students arrested

Kenyan authorities have arrested eight students in connection with a suspected arson attack at a girls’ boarding school that killed 16 pupils, in one of the country’s deadliest school tragedies in recent years.

The fire reportedly broke out late at night inside a crowded dormitory while students were asleep, rapidly engulfing the building before emergency responders were able to contain the blaze.

Witnesses described scenes of panic as flames spread quickly through the dormitory, trapping students inside and overwhelming early attempts at rescue. Several pupils were injured while trying to escape the inferno.

Police said preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have been deliberately set, prompting the arrest of eight students believed to be connected to the incident. Authorities have not yet disclosed a possible motive.

Emergency services, including fire fighters and rescue teams, battled for hours to put out the fire and search the wreckage for survivors and remains.

The incident has sparked national outrage and renewed scrutiny of safety conditions in boarding schools, particularly concerns over overcrowding, emergency exits, and nighttime supervision.

Education officials say counselling and support teams have been deployed to assist survivors and families of the victims, while forensic teams continue efforts to identify the deceased.

The arrested students remain in custody as investigations continue into what officials have described as one of the most severe school fire incidents in Kenya’s recent history.