The murder case arising from the deadly Utumishi Girls Academy dormitory fire has taken a fresh twist after the High Court ordered eight students accused of the tragedy to undergo mental assessment before taking plea.
The eight minors appeared before High Court Judge Grace Nzioka in Nairobi on Friday, where the court directed that they be examined by psychiatrists to determine whether they are fit to stand trial.
The judge ordered that the suspects remain at the Nairobi Children’s Remand Home in Kabete pending the outcome of the assessments.
The matter will be mentioned on July 1, when the court is expected to receive the medical reports before issuing further directions on the plea-taking process.
The eight students are facing 16 counts of murder following the May 28 dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil that claimed the lives of 16 learners and left dozens of others with injuries.
During the proceedings, the prosecution told the court that mental assessment is a mandatory requirement before plea can be taken in a murder case, especially where minors are involved.
The latest court orders come days after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions approved murder charges against the students following weeks of investigations by detectives.
Earlier this week, the suspects were transferred from Nakuru to Nairobi after the prosecution successfully applied to have the case heard in the capital, citing security concerns.
State Counsel Emma Bosire told the court that intelligence reports indicated there was a likelihood of hostility if the proceedings continued in Nakuru.
“We seek orders permitting the transfer of the respondents to Nairobi for purposes of presenting them before the High Court for plea taking,” Bosire submitted.
The court allowed the application, paving the way for Friday’s appearance before the High Court.
The Utumishi Girls Academy fire remains one of the country’s deadliest school tragedies in recent years.
The incident triggered nationwide outrage and renewed calls for tighter safety measures in boarding schools as investigators sought to establish the circumstances that led to the inferno.
The case is now expected back in court on July 1 after psychiatrists submit their reports, setting the stage for the next phase of what is likely to be one of Kenya’s most closely watched criminal trials involving minors.