DPP Approves 16 Murder Charges Against NINE Utumishi Girls Students
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has approved 16 counts of murder against nine girls in connection with the May 28 fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Nakuru County, which killed 16 students.
Following a review of the preliminary inquiry file provided by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspects will face murder charges in court.
In a statement made on Monday, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions stated that the students will face 16 counts of murder in connection with the event.
“Upon careful assessment of the evidence, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has approved charges against the implicated students,” the ODPP said.
PRESS STATEMENT
DPP APPROVES MURDER CHARGES IN UTUMISHI GIRLS ACADEMY ARSON CASE#HakiNaUsawa pic.twitter.com/VQd35Z138A— Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions (@ODPP_KE) June 23, 2026
“The suspects will face sixteen (16) counts of murder arising from the incident.”
The fire broke out at the school on the night of May 28, killing 16 students and causing major property damage.
The ODPP also expressed concern over a recent rise in incidents of arson and related criminal conduct in learning institutions across the country.
“The DPP expresses deep concern over the recent increase in reported incidents of arson and other related acts of criminal conduct in educational institutions across the country,” the statement said.
The prosecution agency warned that individuals found responsible for such offences would be held accountable in accordance with the law while reaffirming its commitment to a fair and evidence-based prosecution process.
“The Office remains committed to ensuring justice through a fair, impartial, and evidence-based prosecution process,” the ODPP added.
The latest development comes weeks after the Naivasha Law Courts allowed an application by the DPP to detain the nine students for 21 days to facilitate investigations into the incident.
At the time, the prosecution argued that investigations into possible arson and murder charges were still ongoing and required additional time to be completed.
Utumishi Girls To Face Murder Charges:
The Utumishi Girls Academy fire tragedy is now being treated as a murder case.
DPP has approved 16 murder charges against students linked to the blaze that killed 16 girls in Nakuru County.#NTVTonight @MichelleNgele_ pic.twitter.com/m4YK9UqR6N— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) June 23, 2026
The court heard that key forensic processes, including DNA analysis and other scientific examinations, had not been finalised.
The prosecution further told the court that the continued detention of the minors was necessary to safeguard the integrity of investigations.
It will also ensure their welfare, given the sensitivity of the matter and the public interest it has generated.
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Chief Magistrate Abdulqadir Ramadhan directed that the students be held at the Nakuru Children’s Home during the detention period and granted them access to officers from the Children’s Department, legal representation and other support services.
The court also barred members of the public and media from publishing or disseminating images of the students in line with laws protecting minors.
Investigators previously told the court that the suspected plan to set the dormitory on fire was allegedly conceived at around 9 pm and executed about three hours later.
According to investigators, forensic analysis of CCTV footage captured movements leading up to the fire, with matchboxes, mattresses and paraffin allegedly secured before the blaze broke out shortly after midnight.
Detectives from the DCI’s Child Protection Unit, alongside counsellors, were involved in interviews conducted as part of the investigations.
Investigators also cited grievances allegedly raised by some students against the school administration, including concerns over changes to the examination calendar and other school activities.
DPP Approves 16 Murder Charges Against NINE Utumishi Girls Students
