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A Court in Kisumu has ordered the release on Ksh100,000 cash bail each of three Kisumu Boys High School students accused of attempting to set fire to Jupiter Dormitory.
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The court directed that the minors stay away from the school and Kisumu Town pending further mention of the case on June 29.
A Kisumu court has ordered the release of three students from Kisumu Boys High School who had been arrested over an alleged attempted arson incident.
Principal Magistrate Daniel Kipkorir Chumba issued the ruling after considering an accelerated pre-bail report prepared by the County Probation Office, alongside submissions from both the prosecution and the defence.
The three minors are facing charges of attempted arson contrary to Section 333(a) of the Penal Code, relating to an alleged attempt to set fire to Jupiter Dormitory on June 8, 2026.
According to court records, the incident prompted swift action by school authorities and law enforcement, leading to their arrest and arraignment.
The prosecution had opposed their release on bond, citing security concerns and alleging that some members of the public could pose a threat to the accused if they were released.
Investigating Officer Inspector Kevin Ombwoli told the court that intelligence reports indicated possible hostility from parents and students.
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However, the defence, led by advocate Steve Odenyo, challenged the claims, arguing that no credible evidence had been presented to support the alleged threats. The defence maintained that under Article 49(1)(h) of the Constitution, the accused were entitled to bail unless compelling reasons were demonstrated.
The court directed the County Probation Office to conduct a pre-bail assessment covering the students’ home environments and potential security risks.
In his ruling, Magistrate Chumba noted that the report did not establish sufficient grounds to justify continued detention, adding that the alleged threats were largely speculative and unsubstantiated. He further observed that the students were not residents of Kisumu, reducing the likelihood of the anticipated risks.
The court therefore ordered each student to be released on a cash bail of Ksh100,000, with strict conditions requiring them to stay away from Kisumu and the school premises until further notice.
The magistrate warned that any breach of the bail conditions could lead to cancellation of bail and re-arrest.
By Fredrick Odiero
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