A magistrate court sitting in Naivasha has granted an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions to detain nine students from Utumishi Girls Academy for 21 days.

The ruling follows an arson attack at the school that claimed the lives of 16 students and caused widespread destruction of property.

The prosecution successfully argued that the gravity of the potential charges, which include murder and arson, demands an extended timeline to conclude complex investigations.

Central to the state’s request is the finalization of critical forensic processes, including DNA analysis and other scientific examinations.

Furthermore, prosecutors emphasized that holding the minors is necessary not only to safeguard the integrity of the ongoing probe but also to ensure the students’ own safety and welfare given the intense public interest and sensitivity surrounding the tragedy.

Balancing the rigorous demands of justice with the strict legal protections afforded to children, Chief Magistrate Abdulqadir Ramadhan ordered that the nine students be held at the Nakuru Children’s Home.

For the duration of their 21-day detention, the minors will be granted regular and unrestricted access to officers from the Children’s Department to guarantee their welfare is protected.

The Chief Magistrate also directed that they maintain full access to legal representation and any necessary emotional or structural support services.

Recognizing the volatile nature of the case and the vulnerability of the suspects, the magistrate issued a strict gag order.

Members of the media and the general public are strictly barred from taking, publishing, sharing, or disseminating images of the students.

This directive aims to protect the children’s privacy and ensure absolute compliance with the legal frameworks governing minors in the justice system.