Seventeen pupils from Hillside Endarasha Academy have been confirmed dead following an inferno that occurred in the boys dormitory that had housed 152 boys.
According to Nyeri County Commissioner Pius Mirigu, the fire was reported at 11 pm on Thursday, September 5, 2024, and was contained at 3 am as the emergency teams were mobilised.
Burnt beyond recognition
Murugu said they have invited a team from DCI in Nairobi in order to identify those who were bu͙r͙n͙e͙d͙ be̶y̶o̶n̶d̶ re̷c̷o̷g̷n̷i̷t̷i̷o̷n̷
He said that they have started the tracing process for the missing learners.
“We have the DCI team coming from Nairobi to help in identifying the bodies of those who were burnt beyond recognition, and we have also started the tracing process of those who are missing as some of the parents from the area came for the children when the fire started,” Murugu said.
Murugu said that he has already visited those that have been hospitalised at the Nyeri County Referral Hospital, and they are in a stable condition as the burns are not severe.
He, however, stated that one boy had severe injuries and was rushed to Mwai Kibaki hospital in Othaya for further treatment.
Addressing the press, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has condoled with the school and affected families, saying that the tragedy is such a big loss as it has taken away a young, promising future.
Delayed response
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has condoled with the school and affected families, saying that the tragedy is such a big loss as it has taken away a young, promising future.
As a county, he says that it did what it could to salvage the situation; the county sent fire engines from Nyeri town to stop the fire, although the response was delayed by muddy roads caused by the early morning rain.
He further stated that the DCI is working on the cause of the fire.
Education PS Belio Kipsang and Nyeri County local leadership are at the scene.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is expected to visit the school later in the day.
