Kenya: Follow-ups
Autopsy results showed that all sixteen students who died in the Otomishi Girls' Academy dormitory fire in Kenya They died as a result of severe burns.
severe burns
In a statement issued by the Criminal Investigation Department on Sunday, May 31, 2026, investigators confirmed that all the victims died as a result of severe burns, thus refuting previous reports that indicated some of the students had died of suffocation.
A team of pathologists from the Naivasha County Sub-Hospital reported that the victims died from severe burns consistent with a fire that quickly spread within the dormitory.
The Criminal Investigation Department stated, "The examinations confirmed that all sixteen students died as a result of severe burns.".
However, this revelation contradicts initial reports indicating that ten students died of suffocation, while only six died from severe burns, as the report stated that the six were burned beyond recognition.
The tragic fire occurred on Thursday, May 28, 2026, and has since sparked widespread public outrage, with authorities launching intensive investigations to determine its causes and identify those responsible.
Visual recognition difficulty
Investigators also revealed that visual identification of the victims had become difficult, necessitating the collection of DNA samples.
The statement added, "Reference DNA samples were also collected from the families of the deceased students to facilitate the formal identification of the remains, which was necessary given the extent of the burns.".
The Kenyan Red Cross also provided psychological and social support to bereaved families who were allowed to see the bodies of their loved ones.
Following the incident, the school was closed indefinitely by order of Education Minister Julius Ogamba, the ministry dissolved the school's governing board, and the Teachers' Services Commission began investigations against the school's principal.
Investigators are conducting an intensive investigation into the case, with previous reports indicating that eight students were arrested for allegedly planning and carrying out the incident.
Investigations are still ongoing
The Criminal Investigation Department is currently reviewing CCTV footage that allegedly captured images of students stacking mattresses in the dorm before setting them on fire.
However, the police confirmed that investigations are still ongoing and pledged to bring those involved to justice, while continuing to offer their condolences to the victims' families.
