The court has made the first ruling in the case involving seven students suspected of causing a fire at the Utumishi Girls’ Academy in Gilgil.
In a ruling on Wednesday, June 3, the court directed that the nine suspects be detained at the Nakuru children’s remand home for 21 days.
However, this was against the prosecution’s request to detain the minors for 30 days as the investigation into the matter intensified.
Additionally, the court noted that the nine students are being investigated for murder and arson attack, which the magistrate termed as serious offences.
Nine students will be detained for 22 days in the Utumishi fire incident
The court also refused to grant bail, stating that the grounds are serious and the suspects and possible witnesses are known to each other and therefore releasing them on bail might have jeopardised investigations.
The court said that the directive to detain the suspects, was for the safety of the students.
The court further barred the media from showing live the proceedings, citing that the suspects are minors and their rights must be respected under section 220 of the Children’s Act.
The case follows a fire incident at Utumishi Girls’ Academy, which led to 16 deaths and several injuries, prompting investigations and the subsequent arrest of the students.
CCTV footage implicated the students after showing them carrying out the plan and starting the fire.
Following the ruling, the suspects will be held at the Nakuru Children’s Remand Home pending the next mention.
