The Director of Public Prosecution Renson Mulele Ingonga has issued a directive to the Inspector General of Police over the Hillside Endarasha Academy fire incident that claimed 17 lives and left others nursing injuries.
In a statement on Saturday, September 7, 2024, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) directed the police boss to open a probe into the incident.
DPP asked the police boss to determine whether the fire incident may have resulted from negligence or recklessness.
“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 déadly fire 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,” ODPP’s statement read in part.
DPP Ingonga has, however, affirmed that anyone found culpable would face the law. He further committed to expedite the process.
“The DPP assures the public that any person found culpable towards the fire tragedy shall be expediently taken through the due process of a criminal trial,” Ingonga added.
While promising to take firm action, Ingonga shared his condolences message and wished quick recovery to those who sustained injuries following the fire incident.
Probe launched
Speaking on Friday, September 6, 2024, Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli confirmed that a probe had been launched following the fire incident.
“The unfortunate tragedy at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri is already being investigated and we will give a comprehensive update once investigations are completed,” Masengeli stated.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Abraham Kithure Kindiki also visited the school and assured the parents that relevant information would be availed once all students were accounted for. He thus challenged those who had picked their children to return them.
“I can confirm that a number of the pupils ran into the neighbouring homes and they need help and counselling. Our appeal is to anybody who could be harbouring a child to bring them for accountability,” Kindiki said.
Hillside Endarasha Academy has a total enrolment of 824 students, including 156 boys and 160 girls who are boarders, while the rest are day scholars.
All 156 male boarders were accommodated in the ill-fated dormitory.
By the time of this publication, parents were still camping at the school to get relevant information regarding their children.
