The Kenya Rèď CrÓss has said it has activated its response team after a fire incident was reported at Isiolo Girls High School on Saturday, September 7, 2024.
“A fire incident has been reported at Isiolo Girls High School, Isiolo County. Response teams activated,” the statement by the humanitarian movement read.
The Isiolo incident comes after 17 pupils died – and several injured – following a similar incident that occurred on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Kieni, Nyeri County.
The fire tragedy prompted President William Ruto to declare a three-day mourning period for the country.
“During this period of national mourning, the flag of the Republic of Kenya and that of the East African Community (EAC) shall be flown at half-mast at State House, all Kenyan diplomatic missions, public buildings, public grounds, all KDF bases, posts, stations, all naval vessels of the Republic of Kenya, and throughout the entire territory of the Republic of Kenya, from dawn Monday, September 9, 2024, until sunset on Wednesday, September 11, 2024,” Ruto directed.
The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Renson Ingonga, asked the Inspector General of Police to begin an investigation into the incident.
“In line with the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, which guarantees every child’s right to education, safety, and protection from all forms of harm, the DPP has directed the Inspector General of Police to conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the fire incident and assess whether or not the tragedy may have resulted from negligence and/or recklessness of any responsibility holders, and to forward the file to the DPP for a review towards making the decision to charge,” Ingonga said in a press statement.
