01/06/2026
Teachers at Utumishi Girls Academy have claimed that the recent arson attack at the school was carried out by rival le***an gangs operating within the institution. According to the teachers, le***anism is not only widespread at the school but is also largely tolerated and well known to both the Board of Management and the Principal.
The teachers allege that some girls in the school form romantic relationships and even conduct mock "marriages" in the dormitories, with older girls assuming dominant roles while younger girls, particularly those in lower forms, are often coerced into sexual acts.
While such behavior is known to occur in many Kenyan girls-only boarding schools, the teachers describe it as a deeply entrenched problem that has spiraled beyond control at Utumishi. The Principal has previously punished students involved in le***an activities, but the teachers say the situation has now become unmanageable.
CCTV footage reportedly shows seven girls arranging mattresses in the dormitory before setting them on fire. A surviving student who was trapped inside a cubicle later identified the suspects, claiming the attack was a revenge mission after a romantic fallout.
Investigators have established that the victims could have escaped had the dormitory door not been deliberately locked from the outside by the attackers. The eight girls now in custody face serious charges, including murder, which could attract the death penalty if they are convicted.
Parents with daughters in public boarding schools are being urged to have open and honest conversations with their children about the prevalence of le***anism in these institutions. Many parents may be shocked by what they discover. In some cases, the advice is to consider withdrawing their daughters from boarding schools if they have genuine concerns about their safety and well-being.