Eight schoolgirls have pleaded not guilty to 16 counts of murder in connection with a dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy that killed 16 students on May 28, 2026, in Gilgil, about 118 kilometres from Nairobi.
The minors appeared before High Court Judge Diana Kavedza in Kibera, Nairobi, on July 1, 2026, where they denied responsibility for the blaze that also left 79 students injured.
The Court ordered that the girls remain at Kabete Juvenile Remand Home until their next hearing on September 22, 2026, while directing that they receive counselling and psychosocial support during detention. The judge also restricted their access to social media and reinforced strict rules on protecting their identities.
Authorities allege the fire was deliberately started inside a dormitory, although investigations remain ongoing. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has approved the 16 murder charges following police investigations.
The court emphasized the need to protect the minors’ identities, allowing media coverage only under strict guidelines, as the case continues to draw national attention and renewed debate over safety standards in Kenyan boarding schools.