Sunshine students take plea in attempted arson case

Eight students from Sunshine High School who had been released on personal bond last week have pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit a felony.

The students were released last week after the defence lawyers made an application seeking to settle the case outside the court.

One of the students also denied charges of attempted arson.

In a case presided over by Children Chief Magistrate Lucy Gitari, the prosecution asked the court to review the Sh50,000 personal bond that had earlier seen them set free asking the court to set the bail at Sh20,000 each.

The Magistrate will rule on the matter Tuesday afternoon.

In her ruling on Monday, Chief Magistrate Lucy Gitari, had stated that over 70 schools had reported property destruction by fire allegedly caused by students, but she was also alive to the fact that court process is not meant to punish children but to correct them.

She further stated that the constitution also provides that the court is at liberty to consider other problem resolving mechanisms, especially where parties are willing to engage for a solution.

Judge Luka Kimaru however later ordered that the students take a plea after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko appealed against an out-of-court deal between the school and parents.