The High Court has ordered that members of the media be excluded from proceedings in the trial of eight suspects accused in connection with the deaths of 16 students in the Utumishi Girls’ fire incident.
The court issued its ruling on June 25 during an online session of the case, and all the eight suspects took part in the proceedings while in police custody and were not physically present in the courtroom.
During the hearing, lawyers presented their views on whether the girls should be subjected to a mental health evaluation.
The suspects are currently being held at the Kabete Juvenile Remand Home.
Suspects Moved to Nairobi Detention, One Released
The eight students were set to appear before the High Court in Nairobi on June 26 for plea-taking after a Naivasha court approved their transfer.
Also Read: Murder Charges Against 9 Utumishi Girls Approved
In a ruling issued on June 24, Chief Magistrate Abdulqadir Lorot granted the prosecution’s request to detain the eight minors for two more days before their appearance in the High Court on June 26.
“There shall be orders extending the detention of the 8 remaining suspects for a further 2 days, and the 8 suspects shall be presented for plea on 26th June 2026,” part of the decision stated.
The court, however, ordered that one student be released and handed over to parents or guardians.
Court Authorizes Transfer for Plea-Taking in Nairobi
The ruling came after the prosecution asked the court to extend detention orders first issued on June 3, when nine students were placed at the Nakuru Children’s Remand Home to allow investigators more time to complete investigations into the deadly fire.
Also Read: 8 Utumishi Academy Students Sent to Nairobi Detention, One Freed
Prosecutors told the court that intelligence reports indicated the suspects faced serious security concerns and hostility from the public in the area where the incident occurred, making it necessary to move the case to Nairobi.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) further informed the court that investigations were largely complete and that there was sufficient evidence to charge eight of the nine students who had initially been held.
Magistrate Lorot stated that the matter before the court was strictly about extending detention, not about transferring the case, noting that no formal charges had yet been filed.
He added that decisions on where to prosecute fall under the constitutional powers of the Director of Public Prosecutions, while any objections to the location can be raised once charges are presented in the High Court.
Lawyers representing the victims’ families opposed the transfer, saying the plea should have been heard in Naivasha and raising concerns about the cost of traveling to Nairobi.
Defense lawyers also objected to the move, arguing that the suspects were already safe and that the Naivasha High Court was capable of handling the case.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
