At the high court in Kibera, eight subject minors, accused of 16 murder charges pleaded not guilty.
The highly sensitive case due to the nature of offense and the age of the subjects, from Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, was presided over by Justice Diana Kavedza.
The charges stem from a devastating dormitory fire on May 28, 2026, that claimed the lives of 16 of their schoolmates and injured 79 others.
The accused, referred to by the court as “subject minors” rather than suspects to emphasize their protected status, were produced in open court accompanied by children officers, parents, guardians, and legal counsel.
Children officers physically blocked the dock to shield the minors from media view.
The tragic incident occurred at the Meline Waithera boarding dormitory at Utumishi Girls Academy.
Investigations, which included witness statements and CCTV footage, led to the arrest of the subjects.
On June 26, 2026, during a virtual hearing, Justice Kavedza deferred the plea-taking. Citing the severity of the murder charges, ordering mandatory mental health examinations to assess the minors’ fitness to stand trial and directed age assessments by a medical doctor.
The examinations were conducted over the weekend, with reports being filed ahead of plea taking.
The judge also barred media coverage of certain aspects and ordered full disclosure of witness statements and evidence to the defense.
Justice Kavedza had explicitly stressed the need to establish their ages through formal medical assessment, as this determines how the juvenile justice system applies, including protections against full adult penalties and emphasis on rehabilitation.
Today, the court continued to impose a gag order barring the publication of their identities, those of their families, or any details that could identify them.
“Accredited media representatives may attend and report from all proceedings conducted in open court. Such reporting shall be fair, accurate, and confined to the proceedings, the court rulings, procedural developments, and matters of legitimate public interest”
This aligns with legal safeguards for children in conflict with the law. The defense urge the court to grant the subjects a a lenient bail an application which the DPP opposed.
Justice Kavedza presided over the plea, where each of the eight entered not guilty pleas. The case will now proceed to trial. The minors remain detained at the Kabete Juvenile Remand.
The case is set to proceed to trial with continued emphasis on the welfare and rights of the young subjects.
