Wednesday, June 03,
2026 - The High Court in Naivasha delivered its first ruling in the case of
nine students accused of causing the deadly fire at Utumishi Girls’ Academy in
Gilgil.
On Wednesday, June 3rd, Chief Magistrate
Abdulqadir Lorot ordered that the minors be detained at the Nakuru Children’s
Remand Home for 21 days.
This was against the prosecution’s request for a 30‑day
detention period to allow investigations to continue.
The court set June 24th as the date for the mention,
when updates on progress and further directions will be given.
Magistrate Lorot noted that the suspects are being
investigated for murder and arson, which he described as serious offences.
He declined to grant bail, citing concerns that the suspects
and potential witnesses are known to each other, and releasing them could
jeopardise investigations.
The directive, he added, was also aimed at ensuring the
safety of the students.
Detectives told the court the case remains at a sensitive
stage, warning that premature release of the suspects could compromise
witnesses and disrupt efforts to reconstruct events leading to the May 28th
tragedy.
The court also barred live media coverage of proceedings,
stressing that the suspects are minors whose rights must be protected under
Section 220 of the Children’s Act.
The fire at Utumishi Girls’ Academy claimed 16 lives and
left several injured.
CCTV footage reportedly implicated the students, showing
them planning and executing the attack.
The Kenyan DAILY POST
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