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A Kenyan court has ordered the remand of nine female students suspected of carrying out an arson attack that killed 16 girls at a school in central Kenya.
The students, who were arraigned on Wednesday, were denied bail.
In his ruling on the prosecution’s application to detain the suspects, Chief Magistrate Abdulqadir Ramathan ordered that their remand be limited to 21 days to allow for thorough investigations.
The case has been scheduled for hearing on June 24, 2026.
According to the prosecution, investigators require more time to conclude their inquiries, particularly to locate and record statements from key witnesses said to be scattered across the country.
The prosecution also argued that early findings suggest the investigation could be compromised if the suspects are released on bail or bond.
The fire, which broke out on May 28, engulfed a dormitory at Utumishi Girls School housing 202 students, killing 16.
Investigators alleged that the fire was started when a mattress near the dormitory exit was set ablaze using a matchstick and paraffin.
In their defence, the suspects said they were protesting changes to the examination calendar, the school’s decision to charge fees for a cultural event, and alleged peer influence following a strike at a neighbouring boys’ school.
They claimed the plan to torch the dormitory was conceived at 9 p.m. and executed three hours later.
The suspects were arrested after CCTV footage allegedly showed them entering the dormitory shortly after midnight and setting it on fire while other students were asleep.
