Eight minors accused of causing the deadly fire at Utumishi Girls Academy have pleaded not guilty to murder before the Kibera High Court.
The eight appeared before Lady Justice Diana Kavedza on Wednesday, July 1, where they formally took plea after the court established that they were legally capable of responding to the charges.
Before the pleas were taken, the judge considered the ages of the accused and determined that all were above the legal age of criminal responsibility required to answer to the murder charge.
8 minors arraigned, deny murder charges linked to Utumishi Girls fire. Photo: Courtesy.
The case comes days after the Kibera High Court ordered the minors to undergo mental assessments as part of the ongoing proceedings.
On June 26, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said Deputy Registrar Barbara Akinyi had directed that the suspects be examined by a child psychiatrist at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital on June 29.
The court also ordered that the eight minors undergo assessment by a Children’s Officer at Kabete Children’s Home to help determine their welfare needs.
In addition, the court directed that protection and care files be opened for each of the accused and that the relevant reports be filed within 30 days.
The minors were ordered to remain at Kabete Children’s Home pending further directions from the court.
The prosecution was also directed to supply all witness statements and other prosecution documents before the next mention of the case, while the court ordered that the children’s guardians be present during subsequent proceedings.
