Kenyan police have detained eight students in connection with a devastating arson attack that killed 21 teenagers at a secondary school in central Kenya, sources confirm. The suspects, aged between 14 and 18, were taken into custody after a three-day manhunt following the blaze at Moi Girls School in Nyeri county. Investigators found evidence of a planned attack, including petrol-soaked rags and a broken lock on the dormitory door, according to police records seen by this journalist.
The fire, which broke out late on Saturday night, claimed the lives of girls aged 14 to 17, with many dying from smoke inhalation as they slept. One survivor, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the fire started after a group of students had a dispute over disciplinary action. 'They were angry about being expelled.
They threatened to burn the school,' she said. The eight suspects are expected to face charges of arson and murder, with a court appearance scheduled for tomorrow. The tragedy has sparked outrage across Kenya, with parents demanding answers from school authorities.
President William Ruto described the incident as 'a national disaster' and promised a full investigation. However, questions remain about how such a large quantity of petrol was smuggled into the dormitory without detection. Earlier this year, the school had been praised for its strict security measures, including metal detectors at the entrance.
This raises disturbing questions about collusion or negligence within the school's management. Sources close to the investigation say the suspects have made partial confessions, implicating a wider ring of students who may have planned the attack for weeks. The school's headteacher has been suspended pending inquiries.
This attack is not an isolated incident. In 2017, a similar fire at Moi Girls School killed 10 students, but no one was ever charged. The pattern of unaccountable power, where school administrations escape scrutiny, is deeply troubling.
Follow the money and you find broken security systems and lax oversight. Who was supposed to check the fuel store? Who signed off on the faulty fire alarms?
These are the questions that demand answers. For now, eight students sit in cells, but accountability must reach higher. The families of the victims deserve justice, not just a scapegoat.
