Questions are emerging over alleged CCTV footage of the Utumishi Girls Academy fire, as inconsistencies in widely shared images cast doubt on whether they reflect events leading up to the tragedy.
One of the main concerns is a timestamp mismatch. While the fire was reported by the Kenya Red Cross at around 3:30 a.m. on May 28, the supposed CCTV images, as seen by The Kenya Times, are marked 11:56 p.m. on the same date, hours after the incident is believed to have occurred.
The timing discrepancy has raised questions about whether the images depict events before, during, or after the fire.
Despite claims that footage exists, only still images are circulating online, with no actual video.
The images also do not clearly show mattresses being stacked or any preparation consistent with the claims, weakening the narrative attached to them.
Missing Video and Unclear Visual Evidence
The alleged footage has not been officially released or confirmed by authorities, raising questions about its credibility and origin.
Social media users have also pointed to inconsistencies in what is visible in the images, particularly the appearance of the students.
Also Read: Cecilia Wanjiku: Utumishi Girls Student Who Died While Attempting to Save Other Students
“It’s night. Around 12 a.m.? Why are the girls dressed like it’s 7 am? Is this AI?” asked Don CK.
“Where are the mattresses being arranged? Midnight girls are on full uniform plus socks… Bro, this isn’t 1990s,” Kimani Muthui added.
According to the Kenya Red Cross, the fire broke out in Utumishi Girls in the early hours of May 28 while students were asleep, making the presence of fully dressed students at midnight appear unusual
DCI Confirms Arrests of 8 Students Linked to the Fire Tragedy.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), in a statement issued on May 29, confirmed that eight students of Utumishi Girls had been identified as persons of interest in a suspected arson attack and have since been arrested.
Also Read: CS Ogamba Dissolves Utumishi Academy School Board
“Preliminary investigations have identified eight students as persons of interest in connection with the planning and execution of the suspected arson attack. The eight girls have since been arrested and are currently in police custody,” the DCI said.
The agency added that detectives are continuing to gather evidence and reconstruct what happened.
“Detectives continue to record statements and analyze all available evidence to reconstruct the sequence of events, establish the full circumstances of the incident, and determine the motive,” the statement added.
Investigators have conducted interviews with students, teachers, and other witnesses, while forensic teams are reviewing available CCTV footage as part of efforts to establish what led to the fire.
The DCI said that crime scene processing is still ongoing, with experts examining burn patterns, possible ignition sources, and whether accelerants were used. Electrical systems and the building’s fire dynamics are also under review as investigators work to determine the exact cause of the blaze.
The fire, which broke out at the school’s dormitory in Gilgil, left at least 16 students dead and several others injured.
According to Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Ogamba, one of the dormitory exits was locked, potentially trapping students inside.
“The school did not adhere to the safety requirements as stipulated in the School Safety Manual and the Basic Education Regulations. In particular, there was congestion in the dormitory and one exit door was locked, contrary to the prescribed safety requirements,” stated Ogamba.
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