Some of the children charged in connection with the murder of a 16-year-old Utumishi Girls Academy student have applied for plea bargaining, a Kibera Law Court has heard.
During Monday’s mention, the court was informed that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) had formally received a plea-bargaining request from one of the accused children. Another defence lawyer told the court that a similar request had been submitted on behalf of a client.
State Counsel confirmed that the prosecution had received a formal request concerning Subject 3. Preliminary discussions had taken place, but further consultations with the child were still necessary.
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Another minor, through her lawyer, also told the court that she had written to the ODPP seeking plea bargaining. Her lawyer requested enhanced visits to facilitate consultations involving the child and her parents.
According to Citizen Digital, the negotiations led by the Director of Public Prosecutions are expected to involve the victims’ families, the school and the police.
What Plea Bargaining Means
Plea bargaining is a formal process in which the prosecution and an accused person negotiate an agreement under which the accused may agree to plead guilty to an offence in exchange for a concession by the prosecution, subject to applicable law and the court’s approval.
The requests in the Utumishi case remain at the discussion stage. The court has not, according to the information presented, confirmed that any plea-bargaining agreement has been concluded.
Other defence lawyers told the court they were still consulting their clients and their parents before deciding whether to pursue negotiations.
Trial Judge Kavedza allowed the plea-bargaining discussions to proceed and directed that the parents of all the children be granted two enhanced visits per month.
The visits are to be coordinated with the institution where the children are being held.
The court also directed that the case be mentioned every two weeks to monitor progress in the negotiations. The next mention is scheduled for November 11, 2026.
The court further heard that the children were continuing with their education and were expected to sit for examinations the following week.
Children’s Officer Hilda Mbatha confirmed that the minors were attending classes in accordance with previous court directions.
Judge Kavedza ordered that their education continue uninterrupted as the case progresses.
The matter is scheduled to return to court on November 11, 2026, when progress in the plea-bargaining discussions is expected to be reviewed.
