Nine Kenyan schoolgirls suspected of planning and setting a dormitory fire that killed 16 fellow students are to remain in custody for up to 21 days as investigators probe one of the country’s most disturbing school tragedies in recent years.

A children’s court in Naivasha ordered that the teenagers be held at a juvenile facility while detectives complete their inquiries and decide whether to file criminal charges. Prosecutors argued they needed more time to analyse forensic evidence, review surveillance footage and interview additional witnesses, including teachers and support staff at Utumishi Girls School in Gilgil.

The case has shocked Kenya, not only because of the high death toll but also because the suspects are classmates of the victims. The dormitory housed more than 200 students when flames tore through the building before dawn, trapping many inside.

Investigators say the fire was deliberately started at the dormitory’s exit, where a mattress soaked in paraffin was allegedly ignited with a matchstick. The blaze spread rapidly, filling the crowded room with smoke and cutting off the main escape route.

Survivors told police they struggled to flee as panic erupted. According to preliminary findings presented in court, an emergency door that should have provided an additional exit was not opened in time, forcing students to squeeze through a single doorway as the fire intensified.

The nine girls were arrested after detectives reviewed CCTV footage and conducted lengthy interviews with students and staff. Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive, and lawyers for the suspects insist the investigation is still at an early stage.

Defence lawyer Hezron Mogire opposed the initial request to detain the girls for 30 days, arguing that investigators had not demonstrated why such a lengthy remand was necessary. The magistrate reduced the period but agreed that the suspects should remain in custody while key forensic work is completed.

Representing the families of the dead students, lawyer Mbogo Macharia welcomed the decision, saying the victims’ relatives are desperate for clarity on how a secure boarding facility became the scene of such devastation. He urged detectives to conduct a meticulous inquiry that could withstand public scrutiny and any future appeals.

Authorities are also relying on DNA analysis to identify several victims whose bodies were burned beyond recognition. The results are expected to help bring closure to grieving families and will form part of the evidence file as prosecutors weigh potential charges ranging from arson to murder.