Nine Utumishi Girls students suspected of starting the tragic dormitory fire on Thursday that claimed 16 of their schoolmates were arraigned on June 2, 2026.
Before the girls entered the courtroom, Chief Magistrate Abdulqadir Lorot Ramathan issued strict directions. Citing Section 220 of the Children Act, the magistrate ordered that no one reveal the identities of the suspects. He only permitted the parents of the accused children to enter the courtroom and banned live coverage of the proceedings.
During Tuesday’s session, the prosecution asked for a 30-day extension to detain the suspects so investigators could wrap up their work. The prosecution argued that investigators are still pursuing crucial leads and need extra time to track down and interview key witnesses, who scattered across the country after the school closed indefinitely.
The State warned the court that releasing the suspects right now could undermine the ongoing investigation and hamper efforts to figure out exactly what caused the fire.
“The school has since been closed indefinitely, and students released to their parents. Potential key witnesses in the matter are located in different parts of the country, and investigators need time to get them and record their statements,” the prosecution submitted.
Prosecutors also argued that the tragedy had sparked massive public outrage, creating major security risks for the suspects if the court granted them bail or bond.
“The incident has elicited public outrage, thus placing the safety and lives of the respondents in danger if they are released on bail or bond,” the State told the court.
The prosecution pointed to the online circulation of CCTV footage allegedly linked to the incident, noting that it had intensified public interest and heightened fears for the girls’ safety.
“The safety and security of the respondents is key, especially after the release of the CCTV footage,” prosecutors added, urging the court to hold the minors at the Nakuru Children’s Remand Home while they finish the investigation.
Lawyers representing the victims backed the state’s request, urging the court to weigh the gravity of the offense and the interests of those the tragedy affected.
“We are in support of the application. In considering this application and based on the Victim Protection Act, we urge the court to take into account the magnitude and nature of the offence as well as the public outcry,” the victims’ lawyer said.
The victims’ lawyer added, “If the application is allowed, it will not only uphold the dignity of the victims, but also indicate justice for those affected by the incident. As we support the prayers, we also pray that the victims, through their families, are made part of this investigation so that they are informed of every report and action taken during the period that the court may grant.”
The defense strongly opposed the request, arguing that the prosecution wanted to detain the minors without first filing formal charges against them.
“There are no compelling reasons as to why the minors should be detained,” defense lawyer Kipkoech Ngetich submitted.
Ngetich dismissed claims that the students could interfere with the investigation, asking the court, “Can the children interfere with government agencies involved in the probe? No, that is not possible.”
After reviewing both arguments, Magistrate Ramathan announced that the court will rule Wednesday at 2 p.m. on whether to release the suspects on cash bail or grant the prosecution the 30-day extension. Meanwhile, the nine suspects spent the night at the Nakuru Children’s Remand Home, though the magistrate allowed their defense lawyers access to them during this time.
This development follows confessions from the suspects to detectives. The girls cited several motives, including protests against changes to the examination calendar, the school’s decision to charge them for a cultural event, and peer influence after a neighboring boys’ school went on strike. They claimed they conceived the plan to torch the dormitory at 9 p.m. and executed it three hours later.
Authorities apprehended the suspects after CCTV footage caught them arriving at the dormitory at 10 minutes past midnight and setting it on fire while other students slept. Homicide detectives probing the case believe the plot may have involved more people, as the presence of paraffin suggests an outsider could have helped the girls get the fuel.
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