Police say preliminary probe points to arson.

The closure is to allow for an investigation into the fire that left 16 pupils dead.

The dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy has sparked an outpouring of grief.

Survivors have pointed towards suspected arson by fellow students.

Some students have alleged that the fire was started by their colleagues.

A suspected arson attack at a Kenyan girls’ boarding school has left 16 students dead and 79 injured, exposing alleged negligence, overcrowding and ignored warnings. Authorities…

Detectives arrest eight Utumishi Girls Academy students over suspected arson attack on a dormitory that left 16 dead, investigations continue.

Police say preliminary probe points to arson.

The girls were arrested for planning and carrying out a suspected arson attack at Utumishi Girls School in central Kenya.

Kenyan authorities have arrested eight students on suspicion of arson over a fire at a girls’ boarding school that killed 16 students, police said on Friday.

Eight students have been arrested in connection with a suspected arson attack at a Kenyan girls' school that killed 16 children. Investigations are ongoing

Kenyan police on Friday said eight students had been arrested over a suspected arson attack at a girls' school that killed 16 children and hospitalised 79 others.

Sixteen children were killed and dozens injured in fire on Thursday

The fire, at the Utumishi Girls' Academy Senior School in Gilgil in west-central Kenya, broke out in the early hours of Thursday morning and also injured 79 students.

It has also emerged that plans for a strike were hatched by students over a week ago.

Kenyan police arrest eight students on suspicion of arson after deadly girls’ school fire

Pressure mounts on the government over the Utumishi Girls fire tragedy as leaders, unions and parents demand accountability over safety failures.

Utumishi school fire triggers a rethink of school safety

A 2017 government report linked most school unrest to second term exam pressure, warning that many reforms and safety recommendations remain unimplemented.

'When I tried to escape, the smoke became too much and I was forced to go back and look for another way.'

A review of CCTV footage helped investigators to piece together the sequence of events.