8 Sunshine Secondary School Students Freed, 7 From Ruthimitu Charged

Eight students of the prestigious Sunshine Secondary School in Nairobi arrested on suspicion of attempting to torch a dormitory on Friday have been released without charge. reports.

They got a reprieve yesterday after a children’s court deferred their plea-taking for seven days and allowed them to pursue mediation.

It was, however, different for seven other students from Ruthimitu Secondary School in Dagoretti. These were charged with arson and released on Sh20,000 bail each. The seven were arrested on July 19 for allegedly torching a dormitory and destroying property worth Sh2 million. They denied the charges.

The Milimani Children’s Court chief magistrate Lucy Gitari rejected an attempt by the state to have the eight Sunshine students plead the charges. She said rehabilitation outside court would be in their best interest. “I have taken judicial notice of what is happening in the country and the fact that over 70 schools have been burnt. I am of the view that giving them time to discuss and try to solve the matter out of court as prayed could be in the best interest of the minors,” Gitari said.

She said the constitution encourages alternative forms of dispute resolution, including mediation and reconciliation – which the school and parents told the court they are pursuing.

-The Star