- Seven students linked to the Utumishi Girls Academy dormitory fire were arraigned in a Naivasha court
- The fire incident left 16 students dead, while several others were injured, causing widespread grief across the country
- Kenyans shared mixed reactions regarding the manner in which the suspects appeared in court and how they were dressed
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A video capturing the seven students allegedly linked to the fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, showed them being arraigned in court.
Source: Facebook
The dormitory fire broke out on May 28, leaving 16 students dead while several others sustained different degrees of injuries.
When did Utumishi Girls Academy fire suspects appear in court?
The suspects were presented before a Naivasha court on Tuesday, June 2, marking the beginning of the justice process for the families of the girls who perished in the fire.
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While entering the courtroom, observers noted that they were heavily covered. They were seen walking with their heads bowed, wearing hoodies and covering their faces to avoid cameras.
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Utumishi Girls tragedy: Kenyans stunned as girl linked to deadly fire that killed 16 goes missing
In a line, court officials directed them to the dock where they sat throughout the court session.
Even after taking their seats, their heads remained lowered as they continued to avoid cameras and public attention.
The young students are expected to face arson-related charges following the court hearing, held in a courtroom filled with friends and relatives of both the accused and the victims.
The seven suspects were arrested by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in connection with the fire that claimed the lives of their peers.
Detectives are also pursuing possible links to arson and murder as investigations continue, while the suspects reportedly gave statements regarding the incident.
According to reports, they claimed the fire was linked to protests over changes to the examination timetable, the school’s decision to impose charges for a cultural event, and influence from peers after a neighbouring boys’ school staged a strike.
Kenyans react after suspects in Utumishi Girls fire appear in court
Kenyans online reacted strongly to the case, expressing mixed emotions, shock, and calls for justice and accountability.
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Police officer Sammy Ngare reacts to CCTV footage of Utumishi Girls’ students setting dorm on fire
Amy Gal:
“Mimi kama mzazi wa msichana high school, na sijui kama wangu kuna tabia zingine amejifunza akiwa huko… sina la kusema. Pole kwa wazazi walio poteza watoto na pia wa hawa, najua pia wako traumatised.”
Mevis Baraza:
“Wametoa wapi ma-jumper? Wanapaswa kuangalia juu vile walivyokuwa wakisha moto.”
Bunge La Wananchi Githurai:
“Do you know they can’t be jailed for more than 3 years because they are minors?”
Ian Otis:
“Shouldn’t the court be emptied whenever minors are being arraigned?”
Moraa Momanyi:
“They were very brave when planning and tiptoeing along the corridors of the dorm in the wee hours of the night… kwani hawakujua kuna consequences?”
Source: NGBREAKINGNEWS
