Experts Weigh In as Shocking CCTV Footage From Girls’ Dorm Sparks Nationwide Outrage

A debate has erupted online over the use of CCTV cameras in school dormitories following the fire incident at Utumishi Girls Senior School in Gilgil that killed 16 students.

The discussion started after CCTV footage, which has been widely shared by media outlets, allegedly showed students planning and carrying out the burning of a dormitory before the tragic incident.

Some Kenyans questioned why cameras had been installed inside a girls’ dormitory, saying the move could violate students’ right to privacy.

Privacy Concerns Spark Online Debate

Among those who raised concerns was activist Hanifa Adan.

“The CCTV would’ve captured those girls even when placed at the entrance and hallways. So many questions and concerns as to why there are CCTV cameras inside the dormitory,” she wrote on X.

However, several Kenyans disagreed with her view, arguing that the cameras helped investigators identify the students linked to the fire.

Also Read: Court Issues Way Forward in Case of Utumishi Academy Fire Suspects

Lawyer Willis Otieno said the real issue should not be the cameras but the fact that some students appeared to be sleeping in corridors.

“The fundamental question is this: Why are students sleeping in hallways in the first place?” he asked.

According to Otieno, corridors are common areas and not private spaces. He argued that CCTV cameras in such areas are often used to improve security and accountability.

“When a school reaches the point where hallways become sleeping quarters, the problem is not surveillance; it is overcrowding,” he said.

Another lawyer, who uses X account Ndong Conslaw, also defended the use of cameras. He said they were installed for security reasons and had helped investigators identify suspects.

“The students sleeping in the hallway is a separate administrative mistake that should be condemned as such,” he wrote.

Lawyers Defend CCTV Use in Common Areas

To better understand the issue, Hivileo spoke to lawyers Javas Bigambo and Mwaura Muroki.

Bigambo said CCTV cameras do not violate privacy if they are installed in common areas such as corridors and entry points.

“If the cameras were inside cubicles, toilets or bathrooms, then that would be a violation of privacy,” he said.

He noted that the footage seen by the public appeared to have been captured from cameras installed along the dormitory corridors.

Also Read: CCTV Footage Reveals How Utumishi Girls Fire Was Started and Students’ Movements Afterwards

Bigambo also said the footage could play an important role in helping investigators identify those responsible for the tragedy.

At the same time, he cautioned that the court process is likely to take time because investigators and prosecutors must follow due process.

“The process of determining who is responsible will be long because this is a criminal case,” he explained.

Muroki shared a similar view, saying privacy rights must be balanced with the need to protect students.

“A dormitory is a shared space,” he said.

He explained that while privacy concerns are important, the CCTV footage had provided valuable evidence that could help investigators uncover what happened.

“If we didn’t have the CCTV footage, the police would have had fewer leads in their investigations,” he said.

Muroki added that more surveillance may be necessary in boarding schools to improve safety and prevent future tragedies.

“No privacy was breached, especially if the cameras were installed in designated common areas,” he said.

Investigations Into Deadly Utumishi Fire Ongoing

The debate comes as investigations into the Utumishi Girls fire continue.

On Tuesday, June 2, nine students were arraigned in court, with the prosecution requesting that they be detained for 30 days to allow investigators to conclude their probe.

The court is expected to determine on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, whether the suspects will be released on bail or remain in custody as requested by the prosecution.

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Students from Utumishi Academy appear at Naivasha Law Courts in Nakuru, on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. PHOTO/ Brian Inganga/AP