Kenyan detectives have been granted 21 days to detain nine students suspected of planning and executing an arson attack at a girls' boarding school in central Kenya, which resulted in the deaths of 16 children. The case has gripped the East African nation.
Court Ruling in Naivasha
A court in the town of Naivasha ruled on Wednesday that the girls will be remanded at a children's home to allow investigators to complete their inquiries and determine whether to bring charges. The fire on May 28 tore through the Utumishi Girls School dormitory that houses 202 students.
Investigation Details
Investigators said the school matron failed to open an emergency door, forcing all students to scramble through a single doorway. The accused girls have been in police custody for six days, during which interrogations revealed that the fire was started by lighting a mattress at the dormitory's exit using a matchstick and paraffin. No motive has been disclosed so far.
Police arrested nine girls after questioning students and reviewing CCTV footage that investigators say shows some students setting a fire inside the dormitory.
Legal Responses
Hezron Mogire, a lawyer representing the nine girls, told the court there were “no compelling reasons” to detain the girls for 30 days, as requested by investigators. “Nonetheless, the court has taken a different view. We have already briefed our clients, and they are well informed,” he said.
Mbogo Macharia, the lawyer representing the families of the 16 girls who died in the fire, called for a thorough investigation within the 21-day period. “During that time, it is expected by the courts, by the nation, and also by us as the victims that the investigations will have concluded, we will have gotten the answers that we very much want to hear, and we will have found a way forward in respect to finding justice for the victims,” he said.
DNA Results Pending
The results of DNA tests to determine the identities of some of the bodies that were charred beyond recognition are expected later on Wednesday.
