… r in court for mention in murder charges By Dzuya Walter July 01, 2026 09:35 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter A general view of the building at Utumishi Girls Academy where a deadly fire took place in Gilgil …
… nts, all aged above 16, had earlier formally pleaded not guilty to 16 counts of murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code.The charges relate to the deaths of 16 fellow collegues who perished in the dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil …
… en in phases after deadly dormitory fire By Laura Otieno June 29, 2026 09:44 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter A general view of the building at Utumishi Girls Academy where a deadly fire took place in Gilgil …
… The eight suspects, who are facing murder charges linked to the deadly fire at Utumishi Girls School in Gilgil, are following the proceedings virtually from police custody and have not been physically produced in open court. …
… eedings. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-m', container: 'taboola-mid-article-thumbnails', placement: 'Mid Article Thumbnails', target_type: 'mix' }); Initially, nine students had been arrested in connection with the inferno at the Gilgil …
NAIROBI, Kenya Jun 26 – Eight students linked to the deadly fire at Utumishi Girls’ School in Gilgil will be formally charged in court on Friday following a hearing in Naivasha, prosecutors have confirmed. …
… Subscribe to our newsletterThe eight minors are accused of involvement in the May 28, 2026 dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, that killed 16 students.Following investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Office of the Director …
DPP approves 16 murder counts in Utumishi Girls Academy arson
25
·Capital News
… Sixteen pupils, aged between 15 and 18, died and dozens more were injured when a fire broke out in a dormitory at Utumishi Girls’ School in Gilgil, about 120km (77 miles) north-west of the capital, Nairobi. …
… PHOTO | COURTESY Audio By Vocalize Eight of the nine minors accused in connection with the fatal fire at Utumishi Girls High School in Gilgil will be charged with 16 counts of murder at the High Court in Nairobi on Friday, June 26. …
… PHOTO | COURTESY Audio By Vocalize Eight of the nine minors accused in connection with the fatal fire at Utumishi Girls High School in Gilgil will be charged with 16 counts of murder at the High Court in Nairobi on Friday, June 26. …
A Grade 9 pupil, Grace Nyarua, was found dead near a railway line in Echariria village, Gilgil, Nakuru County, on Monday morning, hours after going missing from her home on Sunday evening. Her body bore visible physical injuries, and her family has called for a thorough investigation.
A Grade 9 pupil, Grace Nyarua, was found dead near a railway line in Echariria village, Gilgil, Nakuru County, on Monday morning, hours after going missing from her home on Sunday evening. Her body bore visible physical injuries, and her family has called for a thorough investigation.
Kenya Polo Association president Jamie Murray says Kenyan polo must develop young talent through recruitment, training, and exposure, and win continental matches against African opponents before competing in Europe or South America. Murray cited recent improvements in younger players, including 15-year-old Archie Camm, as evidence of progress.
An inter-agency committee chaired by Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo has directed state agencies to urgently resolve outstanding issues for the Mau Summit–Eldoret–Malaba road project, which aims to upgrade a Northern Corridor link to improve movement of people and goods from Mombasa through western Kenya to Uganda and the wider East African region.
Fifteen-year-old Archie Camm was voted Most Valuable Player among players under handicap 0 at the Mug of Mugs Cup at Northern Kenya Polo Club, where his team Samurai finished second after losing 7.5–7 to eventual winners Sosian Spatchcocks.
Opposition DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua's convoy was attacked in Nakuru Town West on Friday, with several vehicles damaged. Affiliated politicians, including Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara, condemned the incident and questioned government disruption of Opposition rallies.
Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua dismissed President William Ruto's declaration that his UDA-ODM coalition "must win" the 2027 General Election as wishful thinking, citing the opposition's recent landslide victory in the Ol Kalou by-election. Gachagua made the remarks during a Nakuru County tour, hours after DCP claimed his convoy came under attack in Kaptembwa.
Zambia beat Kenya 8.5-5 at the Under 18 International tournament at Manyatta Polo Club in Gilgil, with Zambia's Captain Ryan Jellis scoring all but one of Zambia's goals and Kenya's Captain Lochie Murray scoring all five of Kenya's goals.
Led by captain Sharon Alela, the Nairobi Hospital polo team won the 2026 Trustees Cup at the Nairobi Polo Club and says they feel inspired to carry that momentum into the new season and upcoming tournaments.
Kenya's Under 18 polo team will face Zambia on Sunday in an international tournament at Manyatta Polo Club, following Kenya's victory over Zimbabwe last weekend. Test matches will take place this morning to help teams select their squads for the main match.
Utumishi Girls Academy held a prayer service for Form Four candidates preparing for KCSE examinations, honouring seven students from their cohort who died in a school fire two months earlier that killed 16 students total. The ceremony featured tribute songs and was led by the school's patron, Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.
Lang'ata MP Phelix Odiwuor says he will reintroduce a Bill seeking to make National Youth Service training mandatory for all Form Four graduates before proceeding to university, college or employment, arguing the programme would instill discipline, patriotism and practical skills.
Kenya beat Zimbabwe 6-2.5 in a six-goal international polo match at Manyatta Polo Club in Gilgil, with Kenya scoring three quick goals in the opening chukka and maintaining their lead throughout the match.
Kenya's junior national polo team, comprising four young players selected from the Rift Valley/Swinburn Cups Championships, will face Zambia in the Schools International Championships at Manyatta Polo Club in Gilgil from Friday to Sunday, with test matches on Friday and Saturday preceding the main match on Sunday.
Nakuru County plans to establish a modern disaster and emergency centre in Naivasha with Sh120 million in funding, equipped with fire engines and ambulances to respond faster to fires, drownings, and floods. The initiative follows recent fire incidents and drowning deaths in and around Lake Naivasha.
Kenya A and Zimbabwe are set to compete in a Six-Goal-International polo match at Manyatta Polo Club in Gilgil on Sunday. Kenya A comes into the match after defeating Kenya C 5-2.5, while Zimbabwe lost to Kenya B 4.5-4.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga has called Thursday's Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election a preview of the 2027 General Election, citing reports of intimidation, bribery, and violence. According to Maraga, at least eight people were injured in clashes, masked men assaulted residents, and voters were offered money and goods in exchange for their votes.
The Standard criticizes President Ruto for not addressing a rising culture of goons in Kenya, noting his silence contrasts with public outcry following violence at political rallies in Nyahururu and Kisumu that left 2 people dead. Deputy President Kindiki spoke on the matter, but the President has remained largely quiet and presidential directives to deal with goons have been infrequent.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission has demanded that the IEBC ensure a credible Ol Kalou by-election amid claims of bribery, intimidation and resource misuse. The commission called for an independent, impartial and transparent poll and asked the National Police Service to increase security while ensuring officers remain professional and impartial.
Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has written to the IEBC alleging that a July 13 meeting was used to plan electoral malpractice in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election scheduled for July 16, claiming select UDA officials and government officers met to influence the election outcome.
Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga has cautioned students against arson attacks on school property, warning that those found responsible will face the full force of the law, including possible life imprisonment. He urged students to use dialogue to resolve grievances rather than resorting to violence and destruction of property.
Three people were injured and two vehicles extensively damaged when supporters of rival political camps clashed while campaigning for the upcoming Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election. Transport along the Gilgil–Ol Kalou road was halted on Saturday after police fired in the air to disperse groups that had barricaded the highway.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission and Elimu Bora Working Group have filed a constitutional petition seeking to prevent the reopening of Meline Waithera dormitory at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, where 16 students died in an arson attack. The organisations argue that past safety failures must be addressed and recommendations implemented before the dormitory reopens, with eight girls charged in connection with the incident.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba confirmed that a special task force to investigate rising school unrest will be gazetted within two weeks. The multi-stakeholder team, which will include students and parents for the first time, will collect views and submit its report within 90 days, and those found responsible for incidents will face the law.
A 33-year-old woman in Nairobi allegedly sustained life-altering injuries after being brutally assaulted by her husband on May 13, 2025, in Pipeline, Nakuru County. Her family is appealing for justice and accuses police of delaying investigations, stating the alleged assault occurred while the woman was eight months pregnant and required emergency hospitalization and an emergency Caesarean section.
Kenya National Highways Authority announced that Shandong Hi-Speed Road and Bridge International will construct the 94-kilometre second phase of the Rironi–Mau Summit Road from Rironi to Naivasha through Mai Mahiu at an estimated cost of Ksh.87.6 billion, while China Road and Bridge Corporation will handle the first phase at Ksh.96.1 billion.
Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil has begun phased reopening following a May 28 fire that killed 16 students. Form Four students returned today, with Grade 10 and Form Three students scheduled to resume on Monday and Thursday respectively, as the school provides psychosocial support and has constructed temporary dormitories for at least 200 students.
The High Court has postponed a decision on releasing eight minors accused of murder in connection with a dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy that killed 16 students, pending a comprehensive pre-bail report due by September 22. Justice Diana Kavedza ordered probation officers to gather views from victims' families, school administration, investigators, and the accused minors before the court rules on bail.
Eight minors from Utumishi Girls Academy have been formally charged with murder over the death of a fellow student and have pleaded not guilty. The High Court directed that their identities remain protected throughout the proceedings, and the court issued strict guidelines barring any publication that could reveal the minors' identities.