A Form-one student at Tengecha Girls Secondary School accused of setting twin dormitories and causing the destruction of property worth over Sh4 millions has been remanded in custody at the Kericho juvenile home pending trial.
The minor, 15 years, was arraigned for a mention of her case on Friday before Kericho Resident Magistrate Elizabeth Karani where she denied the arson charges.
She was charged that on June 26 this year at Tengecha Girls High school at Kapkatet location in Bureti sub-county, Kericho, she willingly and unlawfully set fire to two dormitories namely Kenya and Kilimanjaro all valued at Sh4, 129,290 properties of the school.
The student was granted a bond of Sh100, 000 with one surety of a similar amount after she pleaded not guilty.
Following the presentation of a pre bail report before the court, Resident Magistrate Karani directed the student keep off from the school pending the hearing and determination of the case.
A probation report tabled before the court showed that the minor was a habitual thief who stole from fellow students and was also regarded as a liar by her teachers.
It is reported that sometimes she failed to submit her exam papers so that she may be asked to repeat the exam, by then she would have revised and therefore was guaranteed of passing. The case was set for mention on 14 July when a pretrial will commence.
Arson is a grave charge in the penal code and life imprisonment is the maximum penalty for the offense.
By Sarah Njagi
