The High Court in Naivasha has ruled that nine students suspected of involvement in the deadly fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil should be held at the Nakuru Children’s Remand Home for 21 days. This decision allows detectives to continue investigating the May 28 tragedy which resulted in 16 fatalities.
Chief Magistrate Abdulqadir Lorot issued the ruling on Wednesday, June 3, rejecting the prosecution’s request for a 30-day detention period while also refusing to grant bail to the suspects.
The case will be next heard on June 24, 2026, when the court will evaluate the investigation’s progress and provide further instructions.
In his judgment, the magistrate characterized murder and arson as grave offenses, stating that releasing the suspects on bail could jeopardize the ongoing investigation. He noted that both suspects and potential witnesses are familiar with each other.
According to detectives, the case remains at a delicate stage, and releasing the juveniles could jeopardize key witnesses and hinder attempts to reconstruct the events preceding the fire.
The court additionally prohibited media organizations from broadcasting the proceedings live, invoking Section 220 of the Children’s Act to protect the suspects’ rights as minors.
CCTV footage is believed to have implicated the students, reportedly capturing them executing the plan and initiating the fire.
The nine suspects will remain at the Nakuru Children’s Remand Home until the next court appearance as authorities continue examining the complete circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The judgment arrives as nationwide concerns mount regarding student safety and instability in secondary schools.
As of Wednesday, more than ten schools have been indefinitely closed due to student disturbances, including Lenana School, Loresho Girls, Naivasha Girls’ High School, and Senior Chief Koinange School.