By Erestinah Jane, July 1, 2026
Eight students from Utumishi Girls Academy are appearing before the Kibera High Court for the mention of a case in which they face 16 counts of murder following the deadly dormitory fire that claimed the lives of 16 fellow students at the Gilgil-based school.
The court is expected to review psychiatric evaluation reports and age assessment reports before determining the next stage of the proceedings.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) approved murder charges against the eight minors after investigations into the May 28, 2026, fire that also left 79 students injured.
During an earlier appearance before the High Court, Justice Diana Kavedza postponed plea-taking and directed that all the accused undergo psychiatric examinations at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital to establish whether they are mentally fit to stand trial.
The judge also ordered medical age assessments to confirm the exact ages of the suspects, noting that the information is essential in proceedings involving children under the law.
The psychiatric and age assessment reports are expected to guide the court before the accused are formally called upon to plead to the charges.
Given that all the suspects are minors, the High Court also issued strict orders barring media coverage of the proceedings to protect their identities and safeguard the integrity of the trial.
The case was transferred from the Naivasha Law Courts to the Kibera High Court in Nairobi after prosecutors cited security concerns and fears that heightened public emotions surrounding the tragedy could interfere with the administration of justice.
The eight accused students remain in custody at the Kabete Juvenile Remand Home pending further directions from the court.
Investigators from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have indicated in preliminary findings that the dormitory fire is suspected to have been an act of arson.
According to investigation files presented to the prosecution, detectives believe the incident may have been linked to unrest among students following reported changes to the school’s examination timetable.
However, the prosecution is expected to present its evidence in court during the trial, while the accused will have the opportunity to challenge the allegations.
The case initially involved nine students who were arrested during the investigation.
However, following a review of forensic evidence and witness statements, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions dropped all charges against one of the suspects after investigators found insufficient evidence linking her to the incident.
She was subsequently released into the custody of her parents.
The fatal fire at Utumishi Girls Academy remains one of the country’s deadliest school tragedies in recent years, prompting renewed calls for stronger fire safety measures, improved emergency preparedness in learning institutions and enhanced psychosocial support for survivors and affected families.
The High Court is expected to issue further directions after reviewing the psychiatric and age assessment reports, including determining when the accused students will formally take plea.
