Naivasha court frees one student over Utumishi Girls fire as eight face murder charges
Chief Magistrate Abdulqadir Ramadhan Lorot ordered the student's release after investigators found no evidence linking her to the deadly blaze, while.
Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, where a dormitory fire broke out in the early hours of May 28, 2026. (Photo: Courtesy)
The Naivasha Law Courts have ordered the release of one of the students who had been detained over the fatal fire at Utumishi Girls Academy after investigators found no evidence linking her to the incident.
Chief Magistrate Abdulqadir Ramadhan Lorot directed that the student be released into the custody of her parents, ruling that investigations had cleared her of any involvement in the May 28 tragedy that claimed the lives of 16 learners.
The decision reduces the number of suspects in custody from nine to eight as criminal proceedings against the remaining students move forward.
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At the same time, the magistrate allowed an application by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) seeking more time to continue holding the remaining suspects before they are formally charged.
The eight students will remain in custody until Friday, June 26, when they are expected to appear in court to face 16 counts of murder under Sections 203 and 204 of the Penal Code.
The case came up for mention to update the court on the status of investigations and the progress made by the prosecution.
During the proceedings, prosecutors led by Rift Valley Deputy Regional Coordinator Emmah Bosire, alongside Naivasha ODPP head Emma Okok and prosecutor Joseck Abwajo, informed the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had approved murder charges after reviewing the investigation file submitted by detectives.
Based on the prosecution's submissions, the court approved the continued detention of the eight students to facilitate their arraignment and plea-taking.
The suspects are being held at the Nakuru and Nairobi Children's Remand Homes pending their court appearance.
The ruling comes days after the ODPP announced that it had found sufficient evidence to support murder charges against the suspects. Prosecutors said the decision followed a review of a preliminary inquiry file prepared by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), which has been investigating the cause of the deadly fire, believed to have been deliberately started.
By releasing one suspect while proceeding with charges against the others, the prosecution signalled that its decisions would be guided strictly by the evidence gathered during investigations.
The case has continued to attract national attention, renewing concerns over student safety and recurring incidents of arson in Kenyan schools.