High Court bars media from Utumishi Girls Academy murder trial

High Court bars media from Utumishi Girls Academy murder trial
High Court bars media from Utumishi Girls Academy murder trial - The eight suspects charged over the Utumishi Girls fire tragedy. (Photo: Handout)
The eight suspects charged over the Utumishi Girls fire tragedy. (Photo: Handout)

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The suspects are expected to take plea before the High Court on 16 counts of murder stemming from the fatal dormitory blaze at the Gilgil-based school that claimed the lives of 16 girls.

The High Court in Kibera has barred members of the media from covering proceedings in the high-profile murder case involving eight students from Utumishi Girls Academy who are accused of killing 16 fellow students in a dormitory fire.
The order was issued on Friday during a virtual mention of the case, with the court directing that journalists be excluded from the proceedings. The eight accused students attended the session virtually from Kabete Juvenile Remand Home, where they remain in custody, and were not presented in open court.
During the hearing, the court also received submissions from lawyers on whether the eight students should undergo mental health assessments before the case proceeds.

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The suspects are expected to take plea before the High Court on 16 counts of murder stemming from the fatal dormitory blaze at the Gilgil-based school that claimed the lives of 16 girls.
The case was transferred from Naivasha to Kibera after concerns were raised about the security of the accused students and the possibility that heightened public emotions in Naivasha could undermine a fair trial.
The prosecution initially charged nine students in connection with the deadly fire. However, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions later withdrew the case against one of the girls after investigations found no evidence linking her to the incident.

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While releasing the ninth student, Naivasha Chief Magistrate Abdulqadir Ramathan ruled: "The ninth respondent shall be released from custody and be handed over to her parents or guardians."
The remaining eight students now face trial over one of the country's deadliest school tragedies in recent years. Prosecutors allege they were involved in setting the fire that engulfed a dormitory at the school, resulting in the deaths of 16 students.
The criminal proceedings have attracted widespread public attention and renewed debate over safety standards in boarding schools, as well as the handling of juvenile suspects facing serious criminal charges.

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