8 Utumishi Girls fire suspects to face murder charges in Nairobi today

The students are accused of being involved in the fire that engulfed one of the school's dormitories.

The case was transferred from Naivasha to Nairobi following concerns over the safety of the accused students and fears that heightened public hostility in the area could interfere with the proceedings.

Initially, nine students had been arrested in connection with the inferno at the Gilgil-based school.

However, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) later dropped charges against one of the students after investigations cleared her of any involvement in the incident.

Naivasha Chief Magistrate Abdulqadir Ramathan concurred with the ODPP and directed that the ninth accused be handed over to her parents.

"The ninth respondent shall be released from custody and be handed over to her parents or guardians," he ordered.

The remaining eight students are expected to take plea before the Kibera court as the criminal proceedings begin in a case that has attracted significant public attention and renewed calls for enhanced safety measures in schools.