NAIROBI, Kenya – Two of the eight minors facing murder charges over the fatal Utumishi Girls Academy dormitory fire have initiated efforts to negotiate plea bargains with the prosecution, as the High Court allows further consultations with their lawyers and parents.
The requests emerged during proceedings before High Court Judge Diana Kavedza at Kibera Law Courts on Monday, October 26, 2026, with the court directing that the matter return on November 11 for an update on the negotiations.
State Counsel Linda Ndambiri confirmed that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) had formally received a request concerning Subject Minor 3. She told the court that preliminary discussions had taken place, but further consultations with the child were needed before the process could advance.
A separate request concerning Subject Minor 7 was also raised during the hearing. The child’s lawyer told the court that he had written to the ODPP after consulting the parents and sought enhanced access to his client at Kamae Borstal Institution to discuss the proposed negotiations.
However, the prosecution said it had not yet formally received that request.
The distinction means the two cases remain at different stages, and no plea agreement has been announced. Lawyers for the other six minors told the court they were still consulting their clients and parents before deciding whether to pursue similar negotiations.
Court Allows More Consultations
Justice Kavedza allowed discussions between the defence and prosecution to continue and directed that parents of all eight minors be granted two enhanced visits per month.
The visits are intended to facilitate consultations and must be arranged in coordination with the institution holding the children.
The court also directed that the case be mentioned every two weeks to monitor progress. The next mention is scheduled for November 11, when the parties are expected to report on the status of the requests.
The proceedings come weeks after the court declined to release the eight minors on bail, ordering that they remain in custody. All eight had pleaded not guilty to the murder charges when they were arraigned in July.
What Plea Bargaining Means for the Case
Plea bargaining allows the prosecution and an accused person to negotiate a possible resolution of criminal proceedings under the law. Any proposed agreement must meet the applicable legal requirements and is subject to the court’s consideration.
In this case, the requests do not establish that any of the minors has admitted guilt, nor do they mean that an agreement has been reached or accepted by the court.
The case concerns a dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, on the night of May 27–28, 2026. The blaze killed 16 students and injured 79 others, according to earlier reporting on the case.
The eight minors face 16 counts of murder in connection with the deaths. Their identities remain protected under court directions because they are children.
Court Directs Minors to Continue With Education
During Monday’s proceedings, children’s officer Hilda Mbatha informed the court that the minors were continuing with their education while in custody and were expected to sit their examinations the following week.
Justice Kavedza directed that their studies should continue without interruption as the criminal case and any plea-bargaining consultations proceed.
The November 11 mention will provide the court with an opportunity to assess whether the requests have progressed and whether the case is moving towards a negotiated resolution or will proceed through the trial process.
