Eight minors charged with the murder of 16 students at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, will remain in custody after the High Court upheld the prosecution’s objection to their release on bond.
Justice Diana Kavedza of the Kibera High Court ruled that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had demonstrated compelling reasons to warrant the continued detention of the eight minors pending the hearing and determination of the case.
The eight are facing 16 counts of murder following the deaths of 16 students in a fire that broke out at the school on the night of May 27 and 28, 2026.
“The Kibera High Court today upheld the prosecution’s objection to the release of the eight minors on bond, finding that the DPP had established compelling reasons to warrant their continued detention pending the hearing and determination of the case,” ODPP stated.
The ODPP said the prosecution had informed the court that the accused minors allegedly acted jointly in causing the deaths of the students.
The prosecution opposed their release on bond, citing circumstances it said justified their continued detention.
According to the ODPP, Justice Kavedza found that the prosecution had established compelling reasons for denying the minors bond.
The court further found that their release could expose them to potential harm.
The ODPP described the ruling as a significant development in the case involving the deaths of the 16 students.
The prosecution had urged the court to consider the circumstances surrounding the charges before allowing the minors to return to the community.
The eight minors will therefore remain in custody as the murder case proceeds to hearing and determination.
“The DPP charged the eight minors with 16 counts of murder following the deaths of the 16 students in the fire that occurred on the night of 27th and 28th May 2026.The prosecution informed the court that the eight minors allegedly acted jointly in causing the deaths of the students.”
16 students died in Utumishi Girls fire
The incident occurred during the night of May 27 and 28, 2026, prompting investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The ODPP subsequently charged the eight minors with 16 counts of murder, with prosecutors alleging that they acted jointly in connection with the deaths.
The latest ruling now clears the way for the case to proceed while the accused remain in custody.The ODPP said the court’s decision followed its objection to the minors’ application for release on bond.
