The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has approved 16 counts of murder against students implicated in the deadly fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, marking a significant step in the prosecution of one of Kenya’s deadliest school tragedies in recent years.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Director of Public Prosecutions said the decision followed a review of the preliminary investigation file submitted by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), which has been probing the May 28 dormitory fire that claimed the lives of 16 students.

According to the ODPP, the available evidence met the legal threshold for prosecution, and the suspects will now face one count of murder for each of the 16 learners who died in the inferno. The students are expected to be formally arraigned once the ongoing investigations are concluded and the court process proceeds.

The dormitory fire broke out during the night while hundreds of students were asleep inside the building. Investigators have said the blaze was deliberately started after a mattress was allegedly set on fire near one of the dormitory exits, causing flames to spread rapidly through the building. The incident left 16 students dead and dozens more injured, making it one of the country’s worst school fire disasters in recent years.

The DCI relied on forensic analysis, CCTV footage and witness statements during its investigation. Detectives have maintained that the evidence gathered directly links the suspects to the arson attack that triggered the fatal fire. Earlier this month, a court granted investigators additional time to complete forensic examinations before recommending charges.

In announcing the decision to prosecute, the DPP also expressed concern over the growing number of arson incidents and other criminal acts reported in schools across the country. The office said those responsible for such offences would be held accountable in accordance with the law, while extending condolences to the families who lost their children in the tragedy.

The Utumishi Girls fire shocked the nation and renewed scrutiny of safety standards in Kenyan boarding schools. Investigations into the disaster uncovered concerns over emergency preparedness, including reports that an emergency exit was not opened during the fire, forcing many students to escape through a single doorway as flames engulfed the dormitory.

Following the tragedy, the Ministry of Education suspended the school’s principal over alleged non-compliance with fire safety regulations as authorities launched broader inspections of learning institutions across the country. The government has also intensified efforts to review safety measures in boarding schools amid a rise in reported fire incidents.

The criminal case is expected to test the strength of the prosecution’s forensic evidence while drawing renewed attention to accountability in schools and the measures needed to prevent similar tragedies. As the legal process begins, families of the victims continue to seek justice for the 16 students who lost their lives in the devastating dormitory fire.