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Naivasha Court Releases Ninth Suspect in Utumishi Girls Academy Fire Case
A Kenyan court freed one student after investigators found no evidence linking her to the May 28 fire that killed 16 students. Eight others remain in custody ahead of Friday arraignment on murder charges.
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A Naivasha court ordered the release of a ninth suspect in the Utumishi Girls Academy fire case on 24 June 2026 after investigators found no evidence connecting her to the incident. Chief Magistrate Abdulqadir Ramadhan Lorot directed that the student be placed into the custody of her parents.
The same ruling granted the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions an application to hold the remaining eight suspects for two additional days.
Those eight students are scheduled for arraignment and plea-taking on Friday, 26 June 2026. The eight face charges of murder contrary to Section 203 as read together with Section 204 of the Penal Code. The Director of Public Prosecutions approved the charges after reviewing a preliminary inquiry file submitted by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
The prosecution team that presented the update was led by Deputy Regional Coordinator for Rift Valley Emmah Bosire, assisted by Naivasha ODPP head Emma Okok and prosecutor Joseck Abwajo. The eight suspects will be held at either the Nakuru Children Remand Home or the Nairobi Children Remand Home until their court appearance.
The fire occurred on 28 May 2026 at Utumishi Girls Academy and claimed the lives of sixteen students.
The ODPP approved 16 counts of murder in connection with the blaze on 23 June 2026. The matter came before the court for mention to confirm the status of investigations and provide further directions.
