Court Orders Mental Assessment for Eight Utumishi Girls Students
The Nairobi High Court has ordered eight Utumishi Girls Academy students to undergo a mental assessment at Mathari Mental Hospital.
The evaluation will take place on Monday, June 29, 2026. It will determine whether they are fit to stand trial. The students face 16 murder charges each following the tragic dormitory fire at the school in Gilgil on May 28, 2026.
Court Orders
Deputy Registrar Barbara Akinyi directed a child psychiatrist to examine all eight students. She also ordered Children’s Officers at Kabete Children’s Home to prepare social inquiry reports.
The court will use both reports before allowing the students to enter their pleas.
Students Remain in Custody
The minors remain in custody at Kabete Children’s Home pending further court directions.
Meanwhile, Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Vincent Monda must provide all evidence to the defence team.
Next Court Mention Set
The High Court will mention the case on July 1, 2026, before Justice Diana Kavedza. The case moved from Naivasha to Nairobi because of security concerns and heightened public interest.
The May 28 dormitory fire killed 16 students and injured 79 others. Initially, authorities arrested nine students. However, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions later cleared one student after investigations found no evidence linking her to the fire.
