All nine girls from Moi Girls’ High School, Nairobi, who died in a dorm fire on September 2 have been positively identified.

Government pathologist Johansen Oduor headed a team of experts in identifying the bodies using DNA provided by parents and relatives.

Those identified include Alakir Malong, Esther Mose, Hannah Jeiso,  Hawa Awuor Aziz, Mercia Eunice Ogello, Natalia Nanga and Whitney Kerubo.

Speaking at Chiromo, National Management Disaster Unit deputy director Pius Masai said the families will first receive counselling.

“ ... thereafter each family will be allowed to see their loved ones as each name has been matched with a body after the DNA test and all have been identified,” he said

“Thereafter, they will receive documentation from the doctor confirming that it is the person.”

The process took two weeks.

Sixteen students injured in the fire were hospitalized. A Form One is in police custody.

The government will meet the burial expenses.

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has also promised to help pay the funeral bills as well as attend the burials.

Parents have urged the government to ensure schools adhere to safety regulations.

Last week Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said investigations point to arson.

“It was not an accident. It was arson. Some people have been interrogated. Police are trailing the main suspects,” he said yesterday at a press conference in Nairobi.

The 14-year-old arrested in connection with the fire appeared last week before Children’s Court magistrate Teresia Nyangena.

Lewis Nyaundi/The Star