The High Court in Naivasha has ordered nine students linked to the deadly Utumishi Girls’ Academy dormitory fire to remain in custody for 21 days as detectives continue investigations into one of the country's worst school tragedies in recent years.
In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, June 3, Chief Magistrate Abdulqadir Lorot directed that the minors be detained at the Nakuru Children’s Remand Home pending the completion of investigations into allegations of murder and arson.
The decision partially granted an application by the prosecution, which had sought to have the suspects held for 30 days to allow investigators additional time to conclude their inquiries.
The court scheduled the matter for mention on June 24, when investigators are expected to provide an update on the progress of the probe and receive further directions from the court.
In his ruling, Magistrate Lorot noted that the offences under investigation were grave and carried serious legal consequences. He observed that the suspects and key witnesses were known to each other, raising concerns that releasing the students at this stage could interfere with witness testimony and compromise the integrity of the investigations.
The court further ruled that continued detention was necessary for the safety and protection of the minors given the heightened public interest and emotions surrounding the case.
During the proceedings, prosecutors argued that the investigation remained at a sensitive stage and that detectives were still gathering crucial evidence, including witness statements and forensic findings related to the fire.
The court also barred live media coverage of the proceedings, citing the need to safeguard the rights and identities of the minors in accordance with the Children Act.
The case arises from the devastating May 28 dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls’ Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, which claimed the lives of 16 students and left several others injured.
Investigators have relied heavily on CCTV footage recovered from the school, which allegedly captured events leading up to the blaze and implicated the students under investigation.
The tragedy has sparked a nationwide debate on school safety, student unrest, dormitory security, and the growing wave of fire incidents reported in learning institutions across the country.
The nine suspects will remain at the Nakuru Children’s Remand Home until the case returns to court later this month as homicide detectives continue piecing together the circumstances that led to the fatal fire.