Two of the eight minors charged in connection with the deaths of 16 students at Utumishi Girls Academy have started talks with the Director of Public Prosecutions about a possible plea bargain.
The move comes weeks after a court refused to grant them bail.The development was revealed on Monday before Kibera High Court Judge Diana Kavedza.
Lawyers for two of the minors informed the court that they had formally approached the prosecution to begin negotiations.
Lawyer Odiero Osiemo, who represents one of the minors, told the court he had submitted a request through his office.
State Counsel Linda Ndambiri confirmed that the DPP’s office had received the application. She said officials had already held an initial meeting with the lawyer and the minor’s parents.
The parents asked for more time to get clear instructions from their child before going further.
Separately, lawyer PK Nganga, acting for another minor, said he had written to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions that morning after speaking with the child’s parents.
He asked the court for permission to make two extra visits to Kamae Borstal Institution so he could discuss the matter properly with his client. Ndambiri noted that her office had not yet formally received Nganga’s letter.
Lawyers for the remaining six minors said they were still consulting their clients and the parents. Some indicated they had not received instructions to pursue a plea deal.
One lawyer asked the court to set a hearing date soon because the case involves children.
Plea bargaining allows the prosecution and an accused person to discuss a possible way to resolve a case, subject to the court’s approval. In a murder matter it can involve admitting guilt to an agreed charge or other terms allowed by law.
Filing a request does not mean the person has pleaded guilty, and talks do not guarantee any particular outcome.
Justice Kavedza urged the parties involved in the negotiations to move quickly. She said the court needed to know whether the talks would go ahead or whether the case should proceed to trial.
The judge did not set a hearing date because her diary was full for the rest of the year. She directed that the matter be mentioned again on 11 November for an update on the plea-bargain discussions.
The court also allowed parents of all eight minors two enhanced visits each month at the institution where the children are held.
The visits are meant to help with the ongoing talks. An officer from Kamae Borstal told the court that the minors are continuing their education while in custody and are expected to sit their second-term examinations next week.
The judge ordered that their studies continue.
The eight minors face 16 counts of murder over a dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, on the night of 27 and 28 May 2026.
The fire killed 16 students and injured 79 others. The minors pleaded not guilty when they first appeared in court in July.
They remain in custody after the court earlier denied them bail.
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