The Naivasha Law Courts allowed an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to detain nine Utumishi Girls Academy students for 21 days to facilitate investigations into an arson attack that claimed the lives of 16 students and caused extensive destruction of property.
The court agreed with the DPP’s submissions that investigations into possible arson and murder charges are ongoing and require additional time to be completed.
The prosecution told the court that key forensic processes, including DNA analysis and other scientific examinations, have not yet been finalised.
The prosecution further argued that continued detention of the minors is necessary to safeguard the integrity of the investigations and for their own protection and welfare, given the sensitivity and public interest surrounding the matter.
The court directed that the minors be held at the Nakuru Children’s Home for the duration of the detention period.
During this time, they will have regular and unrestricted access to officers from the Children’s Department to ensure their rights and welfare are fully protected.
Chief Magistrate Abdulqadir Ramadhan also barred members of the media and the public from taking, publishing, sharing or disseminating images of the students.
The order is intended to protect the children's privacy and ensure compliance with legal provisions governing matters involving minors.
The court further directed that the students be granted access to legal representation and other necessary support services throughout the proceedings.
The matter will be mentioned on June 24, 2026, for further directions and an update on the progress of investigations.
According to investigators, the suspected plan to set the dormitory on fire was conceived at 9 p.m. and executed three hours later, with CCTV cameras capturing key movements.
DCI officers from the Child Protection Unit, together with counsellors, were also involved in grilling sessions at the Gilgil Police Station.
Investigators say the students’ grievances were directed at the school administration, which they accused of changing the examination calendar from June 16 to June 2.
Other issues cited include a cultural event planned by the school, for which students were allegedly required to pay, as well as peer influence from friends at a neighbouring boys’ school that had gone on strike a few days before the dormitory was set ablaze.
Forensic analysis of CCTV footage reportedly captured the moments leading up to the incident, with matchboxes, mattresses and paraffin allegedly being secured hours before the fire, which broke out at 12:10 a.m.
Form Three students at the school retire to bed at 9:35 p.m., while Form Four students go to bed at 10:35 p.m.
Homicide detectives handling the case believe more individuals may have been involved, noting that the presence of paraffin suggests an outsider could have assisted in acquiring the commodity.
Investigators have confirmed they are pursuing additional suspects believed to have been involved in the arson attack.
