By Anchor Writers
Magistrate Defers Taking Plea Due to Absence of First Accused
Three boys have been charged before the Machakos Law Courts in connection with the fire that destroyed a dormitory at Machakos School last month, causing property damage estimated at KSh 6.68 million.
Two of the minors only identified as RMM and AMK because their identities are protected by law, were presented before the Machakos Deputy High Court Registrar Ms Dorcas Endoo on allegations of arson and malicious damage to property arising from the June 19 incident.
According to the charge sheet, the prosecution alleges that on June 19, 2026, at about 12.35 a.m., at Machakos School in Machakos Sub-County, the three jointly and unlawfully set fire to the Musau Junior Dormitory, destroying school property valued at approximately KSh 6,680,280.
They also face a second count of malicious damage to property contrary to Section 339(1) of the Penal Code, with the prosecution maintaining that the dormitory and its contents belonged to Machakos School.
The accused have been identified in court proceedings only by their initials to safeguard their identities as minors.
When the matter came up before the court, the first accused-RMM- was absent while the second and third accused were present.
The prosecution, led by Mr J. Kisumba, informed the court that the charge sheet had been amended to correctly reflect the initials rather than the actual names of the accused persons.
Because the first accused was absent, the prosecution asked the court to defer the taking of plea and requested that summons be issued to his father, to produce the minor before court.
The Ms Endoo agreed to postpone the plea and directed that the bond terms earlier granted to the minors remain in force. The first accused had previously been released on a cash bail of KSh 40,000.
The court also ordered that each of the three minors be provided with a pro bono advocate before plea is taken, underscoring the requirement that child offenders be accorded legal representation.
In addition, the investigating officer was directed to serve summons upon the first accused’s father to ensure the minor attends the next court session.
The matter was adjourned to July 17, 2026, when the court expects the first accused to be produced, legal counsel to be in place for all three minors, and plea to be taken.
The prosecution intends to call several witnesses, including the school’s Deputy Principal Benson Nzioka, members of staff and police investigators involved in the case.
Stay Anchored
