NAIROBI, Kenya — The High Court in Kibera has barred members of the media from covering proceedings in the murder case involving eight students from Utumishi Girls Academy who are accused of causing a dormitory fire that killed 16 fellow students.
The directive was issued on Friday during a virtual mention of the case, with the court ordering that journalists be excluded from the proceedings as the matter progresses through the judicial process.
The eight accused students attended the session virtually from Kabete Juvenile Remand Home, where they remain in custody. They were not physically presented before the court.
During the hearing, lawyers made submissions on whether the students should undergo mental health assessments before taking plea and proceeding to trial.
The suspects are expected to be formally arraigned before the High Court on 16 counts of murder arising from the deadly dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, one of Kenya’s most devastating school tragedies in recent years.
The matter was transferred from Naivasha to the High Court in Kibera following concerns over the security of the accused students and fears that heightened public emotions surrounding the tragedy could compromise their right to a fair trial.
The prosecution had initially charged nine students in connection with the fatal fire. However, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) later dropped charges against one of the girls after investigators found insufficient evidence linking her to the incident.
While ordering her release, Naivasha Chief Magistrate Abdulqadir Ramathan directed that the student be handed over to her parents or guardians.
“The ninth respondent shall be released from custody and be handed over to her parents or guardians,” the magistrate ruled.
The remaining eight students continue to face prosecution over allegations that they participated in setting the fire that engulfed a school dormitory and resulted in the deaths of 16 students.
A key issue emerging in the proceedings is whether the accused students should undergo psychiatric and mental health evaluations before plea-taking and trial.
The court received arguments from both the defence and prosecution on the matter but has yet to make a determination.
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Mental assessments are commonly conducted in serious criminal cases to establish whether accused persons are fit to stand trial and capable of understanding court proceedings.
The case has attracted significant national attention due to the scale of the tragedy and the fact that the accused are minors facing serious criminal charges.
It has also reignited debate over safety standards in Kenyan boarding schools, student welfare, and the handling of juvenile suspects within the criminal justice system.
The deaths of 16 students shocked the country and prompted renewed calls for stricter fire safety measures in educational institutions.
The case is expected to remain under close public scrutiny as the court prepares to hear the murder charges against the eight students.
