The High Court has ordered mental assessments for eight students accused of murder in connection with the deadly fire at Utumishi Girls Academy, marking the latest step in one of Kenya's most closely watched school tragedy cases.
The students appeared virtually before Deputy Registrar Barbara Akinyi at the Kibera High Court on Friday for the first mention of the case after it was transferred from Naivasha.
During the proceedings, prosecutors asked the court to direct that all eight minors undergo psychiatric evaluations at Mathare Mental Hospital. They also requested assessments by a Children's Officer to help the court better understand the welfare needs of each child before the case proceeds.
The prosecution further sought orders requiring protection and care files to be opened for the accused and asked that they remain at Kabete Children's Home until further directions are issued.
In her ruling, Akinyi ordered that the students be taken to Mathare Mental Hospital on Monday, June 29, where a child psychiatrist will conduct the assessments. The resulting reports are to be filed before the next court appearance.
The court also directed that parents, guardians and Children's Officers attend the next hearing. Each student must also be physically produced in court and represented by legal counsel.
The matter will be mentioned again on July 1 before Justice Diana Kavedza.
The case was recently moved from Naivasha to Kibera after concerns were raised about the security of the accused students. According to information presented before the court, there were fears that heightened public emotions in Naivasha could affect the fairness of the proceedings.
The number of accused students has also been reduced from nine to eight. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions withdrew charges against one student after determining there was insufficient evidence linking her to the incident.
The remaining eight students now face allegations relating to the dormitory fire that claimed the lives of 16 learners in one of the country's deadliest school disasters in recent years.
Prosecutors allege the students played a role in the blaze that destroyed part of the school's dormitory. The accused have not been convicted, and the case remains before the court.
The tragedy has reignited debate about safety in Kenyan boarding schools, particularly after a rise in cases of student unrest and dormitory fires reported in recent months. It has also raised difficult questions about how the justice system should handle minors accused of serious offences, balancing accountability with the protections afforded to children under Kenyan law.
As the legal process moves forward, the psychiatric assessments and children's welfare reports are expected to play an important role in informing the court's next steps while ensuring the rights of the accused are safeguarded.