VIDEO: 3 Reasons Why The 7 Students Burnt Utumishi Girls Academy Killing 16

The seven students arrested by detectives over the tragic fire outbreak at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil have revealed four reasons why they set the dormitory on fire in the wee hours of Thursday, May 28. 

1. According to reports, the girls, who are still in custody revealed to the investigators that they were aggrieved by the school's decision to change examination dates from June 16 to June 2. 

2. The suspects also disclosed that the school administration's decision to charge them for an upcoming cultural event irked them, prompting them to stage a protest. 

3. Peer influence from a neighbouring boy's school that had gone on strike a few days before Thursday also influenced the girls' decision to burn the dormitory, according to investigators. The plan was reportedly hatched at 9 pm on Thursday and executed three hours later at 12:00 am. 

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It is suspected that Form 3 students were the masterminds of the tragic inferno that killed 16 girls and left others with injuries. 

According to the school administration, Form 3 students retire to bed at 9:35 pm while their Form 4 counterparts end their evening preps at 10: 45 pm. A student who survived the incident claimed a section of Form 3 students were overheard planning the attack a few hours before it happened. 

Reports also indicate two teachers were informed about the impending arson attack, but they ignored it. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba directed the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to take disciplinary action against the two teachers for negligence. Ogamba also disclosed that the school principal would be held to account for failing to ensure the school adhered to safety protocols outlined in the safety manual. Investigators are still pursuing other leads to unravel what transpired before, during and after the deadly incident that shocked the country. 

Some of the questions the detectives are seeking answers for include establishing how the suspects got paraffin and matchsticks they used to burn the dormitory. They suspect some outsiders could have helped in the planning and execution of the tragic arson attack. 

The seven suspects will be arraigned in court on Tuesday, June 2, to face several charges including arson and malicious damage to property.