The murder case arising from the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls which claimed the lives of 16 students, has been transferred from Naivasha to Nairobi due to security concerns.
The decision was made yesterday after the prosecution informed the court that intelligence reports indicated heightened public emotions surrounding the case, creating potential security risks for the accused persons if the proceedings continued in Naivasha.
The state successfully applied for the transfer, arguing that hearing the matter in Nairobi would help safeguard the integrity of the trial and ensure the safety of all parties involved.
The accused, who are minors, have since been moved to a children’s remand facility in Nairobi pending further court proceedings.
The case stems from a dormitory fire that occurred at Utumishi Girls Academy, resulting in the deaths of 16 students and injuries to dozens of others. Investigators later recommended criminal charges against nine students suspected of involvement in the arson.
However, one of the students who had initially been under investigation was released after prosecutors determined that there was insufficient evidence to support criminal charges against her.
The remaining eight suspects are expected to face multiple murder charges linked to the deadly fire before a Nairobi court.
