Eight students accused in connection with the deadly dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy are expected to appear before the High Court in Kibera today, July 1, 2026, to take plea on 16 murder charges arising from one of the country’s deadliest school tragedies in recent years.
The case stems from the May 28, 2026 dormitory fire at the Gilgil-based school in Nakuru County that claimed the lives of 16 students and left 79 others injured after what investigators describe as an arson attack.
Initially, nine minors had been arrested in connection with the incident. However, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) later withdrew charges against one student, citing insufficient evidence, leaving eight suspects to face prosecution.
According to the charge sheet approved by the ODPP, each of the eight minors faces 16 counts of murder. If convicted, the offences attract severe penalties under Kenyan law, including life imprisonment or the death sentence.
The plea-taking had initially been scheduled for June 26 but was postponed after Justice Diana Kavedza directed that all accused persons first undergo mandatory psychiatric evaluation at Mathari Mental Hospital alongside official age assessments before entering plea.
Due to security concerns and heightened public emotions surrounding the tragedy, the matter was moved from Naivasha Law Courts to the High Court in Kibera.
In addition, the court imposed restrictions on live media coverage of proceedings to safeguard the privacy and legal rights of the underage suspects as the case progresses.
Source Attributed: Nation Newspaper