Nine students from Utumishi Girls’ Academy in Gilgil, suspected in a dormitory fire that killed 16 learners, will remain in custody for 21 days after a Naivasha court ordered their detention.
Chief Magistrate Abdulqadir Ramathan granted the prosecution’s application but reduced the requested 30-day detention period to 21 days, saying it would allow investigators sufficient time to complete their inquiries. He also declined to release the suspects on bail or bond, agreeing that the prosecution had presented compelling grounds.
The case will be mentioned on 24 June 2026 for a progress update and further directions.
The prosecution told the court that detectives required more time to conclude investigations, including tracing and recording statements from key witnesses said to be scattered across different parts of the country. It further argued that releasing the suspects could compromise the integrity of the case.
Investigators say early findings point to unrest within the school, with the suspects allegedly citing grievances over the rescheduling of examinations from 16 June to 2 June, compulsory contributions towards a cultural event, and influence from recent student strikes in a neighbouring boys’ school.
According to detectives, the group is said to have planned the arson attack around 9 p.m. and carried it out a few hours later. CCTV footage allegedly places them at the dormitory shortly after midnight, where the fire broke out while other students were asleep.
Authorities are still probing how the fire was started and whether other individuals may have been involved.
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