The devastating fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County has left 21 children dead, according to the latest update from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The tragedy has prompted a thorough investigation as authorities work to piece together what happened on that fateful night.
According to an update by DCI on Thursday, September 12, 2024, the fire broke out in the dormitory section of the school, which housed 164 registered boarders.
However, on the night of the incident, there were 156 boys in the dormitory, as eight had not yet reported back to the school.
“From our information, the boarding section had 164 boys registered as boarders. On the fateful day, the school had 156 boys in the dormitory as 8 had not reported,” DCI said.
The blaze, which quickly engulfed the wooden structure, claimed the lives of 19 boys inside the dormitory. Two more boys later succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.
The DCI confirmed that, as of now, 140 boys have been accounted for and are safe with their families, including the eight who were absent on the night of the fire.
However, five boys had been admitted to the hospital following the incident. Of these, two tragically died due to severe injuries, while three are still receiving treatment.
“As of now, 140 boys have been confirmed to be with their parents (Including the 8 who had not reported).
“Of the five who were admitted, two of them succumbed to the injuries. Three boys are still in hospital.
“The total number of the deceased is 21 which includes 19 bodies that were retrieved from the razed dormitory and two who passed on while receiving treatment,” the DCI said in a statement on X.
The fire, which has become one of the deadliest incidents at a Kenyan boarding school in recent memory, has shaken the nation.
Parents and families are still grappling with the loss of their children as authorities continue to search for answers.
“Investigations into the incident are ongoing,” the DCI stated, noting that efforts are being made to determine the cause of the fire and any possible lapses that could have contributed to the tragedy.
The rapid spread of the blaze left many marooned inside, with little chance of escape. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but the flames had already consumed much of the structure by the time they arrived.
The school administration has remained largely silent as investigations proceed, but initial reports suggest that authorities are looking into the school’s safety protocols and possible causes of the fire, ranging from electrical faults to ârson.
The tragedy has raised concerns about the safety of boarding facilities in Kenya. Many parents and guardians are calling for immediate action from the government to enforce stricter safety regulations in schools across the country.
This incident is not isolated. In recent years, several Kenyan boarding schools have faced similar tragedies, prompting calls for a thorough review of school safety standards and regulations.
As the investigation unfolds, the community around Hillside Endarasha Academy is united in mourning, while the rest of the nation watches closely, awaiting answers that might help prevent such a tragedy from occurring again.
