Seven of the eight minors charged with murder over the deadly fire at Utumishi Girls Academy are in plea talks with state prosecutors. The fire killed 16 students. On Thursday, prosecutors told Kibera High Court Judge Diana Kavedza that the talks were at different stages, Nairobi Wire reported.
To keep the case from dragging on, Kavedza ordered both sides to wrap up the negotiations. She told them to file any written agreements by December 15, 2026. "We give you one month to see how far we have gone," she said.
State lawyers said they were close to finishing the process, but they have rejected several defence proposals. According to Nairobi Wire, prosecutors turned down a request to turn three of the accused into state witnesses. Court records identify the three as subjects 5, 6 and 8. Prosecutors called their proposed terms unacceptable.
Other minors have said they are willing to plead guilty, and those talks are still under way. Prosecutors said one proposal is awaiting formal feedback from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). Another is with the Director of Public Prosecutions for final approval. The Daily Nation also reported that some proposals had been rejected while others were still being considered.
The State ruled out any plea deal for subject one. Prosecutors said that minor must face the full proceedings as an alleged child offender. They will formally respond to the other proposals and decide which ones can become binding agreements.
Kavedza urged both sides to avoid unnecessary delays. She said children must be shielded from long criminal trials. She also asked whether parents and lawyers were able to visit the detained minors twice a month. Prosecutors said they had received no reports of families being denied access.
The judge declined to set fixed visiting dates. She cited security risks and the need to protect the minors' identities and welfare. She told facility officials to arrange family visits flexibly and put the children's safety first. The High Court will sit again on December 15 to review progress and examine any finalised plea agreements.