-
Court has directed that eight students charged with murder in connection with the Utumishi Girls Academy case undergo mental assessment.
-
In her ruling, Barbara Akinyi ordered that the students be taken to Mathare Mental Hospital on Monday, June 29, for mental assessment, with the reports to be submitted to the court before the next mention of the case.
The Kibera High Court has directed that eight students charged with murder in connection with the Utumishi Girls Academy case undergo mental assessment.
The order was issued on Friday, June 26, when the students appeared virtually before Deputy Registrar Barbar Akinyi for the first mention of the case after it was transferred from Naivasha.
During the proceedings, the prosecution asked the court to have all eight students undergo a mental assessment at Mathare Mental Hospital before the case proceeds.
The court ordered that the minors undergo assessments by a child psychiatrist and a Children’s Officer.
The prosecution also applied for orders directing that protection and care files be opened for each of the minors. It further requested that they remain in remand at Kabete Children’s Home pending further directions from the court.
ALSO READ:
Anti-Tobacco campaign intensifies as Shisha use among students rise
In her ruling, Barbara Akinyi ordered that the students be taken to Mathare Mental Hospital on Monday, June 29, for mental assessment, with the reports to be submitted to the court before the next mention of the case.
The court further directed that children’s officers, parents or guardians be present at the next court appearance. It also ordered that each student be represented by legal counsel and be physically presented before the court.
The matter will next be mentioned on July 1, before Lady Justice Diana Kavedza.
The case was recently transferred from Naivasha to Kibera following concerns over the safety of the accused students and fears that heightened public emotions in Naivasha could compromise the fairness of the trial.
The number of students facing charges has also been reduced from nine to eight after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) withdrew charges against one of the girls, citing insufficient evidence linking her to the fatal school fire.
By Frank Mugwe
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
