8 Utumishi Academy students to be charged with murder in Nairobi court
By Zipporah Ngwatu, June 24, 2026Eight of nine Utumishi Girls’ Academy students linked with the deadly fire tragedy at their school, which left 16 of them dead and others with injuries, will be charged with murder on Friday, June 26, 2026.
The Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) has lodged charges against the eight persons of interest but asked the court to release the ninth suspect on grounds that they have found out she did not commit the offence.
Appearing before Naivasha Chief Magistrate Abdulqadir Lorot on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, the prosecution also made an application to have the eight be detained until Friday, June 26, 2026, when they will be presented for plea taking.
“Your honour, the investigations have been substantially completed, and there is sufficient evidence to charge eight out of nine respondents (students),” the prosecution submitted to the court.
Further, the DPP asked the court for orders to transfer the eight students for plea taking to Nairobi, citing that the eight face security risks owing to public hostility.
The court heard that the intelligence report states the said students might face hostility from the locals arising from the death of their fellow students.
“Your honour, we seek orders permitting the transfer of the respondents (8 students) from the jurisdiction of this honourable court to Nairobi for purposes of presenting the eight respondents at the High Court of Nairobi for plea taking,” the prosecution submitted to court.
Magistrate Abdulqadir has granted the DPP the orders they had sought for transfer and has also extended the custodial orders so that the respondents can be presented before the High Court in Nairobi.
“The 9th respondent, reflected in proceedings as AI9, shall be released forthwith from custody and be handed over to her parents. There shall be orders extending the detention of the 8 remaining suspects for a further two days, and the eight suspects shall be presented for plea on June 26, 2026,” Magistrate Lorot ruled.
“The suspects may be detained at Nairobi Children’s Remand Home prior to the plea being taken,” the chief magistrate added.
The nine students, including the one who has been released, have been in custody since June 3, 2026, when the court detained them to allow the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to complete their investigations.
DCI had requested the court to detain them for 30 days, but the court directed they be detained at Nakuru Children’s Remand Home for a period of 21 days.
In detaining them, Magistrate Lorot noted that the most compelling reason to deny the minors bail and bond is to ensure their safety and security, noting that there could be an outpouring of rage from the victims’ families, adding that it is not far-fetched that some have thought of revenge.