One of the students arraigned for burning a dormitory at Ober Boys Secondary School pleaded guilty to the offence.
The student is among seven others who appeared in court in Oyugis over charges that they participated in burning the facility.
On Wednesday, the student appeared in court, pleaded guilty and explained how the arson attack was carried out.
Some of his colleagues were listed as witnesses in the case.
“I will never do it again. I ask for pardon,” the accused said.
Okore ruled that the student will be detained until Monday when he will be sentenced.
During the detention period, he will undergo age and mental assessment.
About 176 students were affected when the dormitory was razed. Investigations revealed that property worth Sh2.6 million was destroyed.
Police in Rachuonyo East subcounty had initially arrested the suspects and arraigned them before the court allowed them to detain them for more investigations.
The suspects are Form Two students at the school.
The subcounty directorate of criminal investigations Mark Lipale said they needed more time to pursue the issue on grounds that some suspects had not been arrested.
Lipale signed an affidavit before principal magistrate Celesa Okore granted him permission to proceed.
“The police have not recorded statements from witnesses to aid in the prosecution of suspects. The debris collected from the scene has also not been analysed,” Lipale had asked.
The evidence was sent to a government chemist in Kisumu for analysis but experts have not yet analysed them to establish the cause of the fire.
“I pray this honorable court will grant me five more days to complete investigations in order to properly question the suspects,” the DCI officer asked the court.
The August 29 incident left students counting losses after their academic materials were destroyed in the morning fire.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)
