Court orders mental assessment on 8 Utumishi Girls Academy fire suspects

The eight suspects appeared virtually before Deputy Registrar Barbara Akinyi at the Kibera High Court for their first mention.

The prosecution team, led by Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Vincent Monda, made several applications aimed at facilitating the hearing of the case within the timelines set out under the Children's Act.

Among the orders sought were the appointment of pro bono advocates for all the minors, mental assessment at Mathare Mental Hospital, assessment by a Children's Officer, the opening of protection and care files, and continued remand of the suspects at Kabete Children's Home pending further directions from the court.

According to the ODPP, the court directed that the minors be escorted to Mathare Mental Hospital on Monday, June 29, 2026, for mental assessment by a child psychiatrist, with the reports to be filed before the next court appearance.

Deputy Registrar Akinyi also ordered that protection and care files be opened for each of the minors, with the relevant reports to be filed within 30 days.

In addition, the court directed that Children's Officers at Kabete Children's Home conduct assessments of all the suspects immediately, or complete the exercise over the weekend if necessary, and submit the reports before the next mention.

The eight minors will remain in custody at Kabete Children's Home.

The court further ordered the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to supply all prosecution documents to the defence ahead of the next mention. It also directed that children's officers, guardians and parents be present during the next court appearance, and that each of the minors be represented by legal counsel and produced physically in court.