A new development has emerged in the case involving the deadly Utumishi Girls Academy dormitory fire, with the High Court giving the parties fresh timelines to resolve the charges against eight minors.
Seven of the accused minors are negotiating possible plea agreements with the prosecution, a process that could determine how their cases are concluded.
Kibera High Court Judge Diana Kavedza addressed the matter on Thursday, November 12, directing both sides to expedite the negotiations and submit written plea agreements by December 15, 2026.
Court Sets Deadlines for Utumishi Girls Minors Plea Negotiations
The judge gave the parties one month to make progress before returning to court.
“We give you one month to see how far we have gone,” Judge Kavedza said.
Prosecutors informed the court that negotiations involving the minors were at different stages, with some proposals having been rejected while others were still under consideration.
The State told the court that the discussions were nearing completion.
“We are on the verge of completing plea bargaining talks,” the prosecution said.
However, the prosecution opposed some of the requests, including a proposal to have three minors identified as subjects 5, 6 and 8 converted into prosecution witnesses.
Plea Deal for One Minor Opposed, Access to Accused Minors Addressed
The State maintained that it was opposed to plea negotiations involving subject one, insisting that the minor should remain in the proceedings as an alleged child offender.
It said it would consider proposals from the other accused minors and determine whether the parties could reach an agreement.
Also Read: Murder Charges Against 9 Utumishi Girls Approved
Judge Kavedza urged the parties to conclude the negotiations without unnecessary delays, citing the need to avoid prolonged court proceedings involving children.
The judge also questioned whether the minors were receiving visits from their parents and lawyers at least twice a month.
Additionally, the prosecution told the court that it had not received any reports indicating that the children had been denied access to their parents.
However, Kavedza declined to prescribe specific visitation dates, citing security concerns and the need to protect the identities and welfare of the minors.
She directed that visits be facilitated flexibly rather than through rigid schedules, while ensuring the children’s safety.
Utumishi Girls Fire Suspects Allowed More Visits From Parents
On October 26, 2026, High Court Judge Diana Kavedza allowed parents of the eight minors charged over the Utumishi Girls Academy fire to visit them twice a month at Kamae Borstal Institution.
The court approved the additional visits after defence lawyers requested more time for the minors to consult their parents and legal representatives as plea-bargaining negotiations with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) continued. Parents were directed to coordinate the visits with the institution.
Also Read: High Court Locks Out Media from Utumishi Girls Fire Murder Trial
During the same court session, children’s officer Hilda Mbatha informed the court that all eight minors were continuing with their education while in custody.
She told Justice Kavedza that they were attending classes and were expected to sit their end-of-term examinations the following week.
Justice Kavedza directed that the minors’ education should continue uninterrupted as the murder case and plea-bargaining discussions proceeded.
The developments followed a September 21, 2026, ruling in which the High Court declined to release the eight minors on bail. Justice Kavedza ruled that releasing them immediately could expose them to harm and compromise the integrity of the proceedings.
The judge ordered that they remain in custody at Kamae Borstal Institution pending further proceedings. She also directed that each minor be provided with an individual sleeping cubicle, medical care, reading materials and continued psychosocial support.
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