The Kenyan community is reeling from the tragic loss of 17 children who perished in a devastating fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri county. The fire, which broke out around midnight on Thursday, engulfed a dormitory where over 150 boys were sleeping.
President William Ruto declared three days of national mourning, starting on Monday, in response to what he described as an “unfathomable tragedy.” The fire claimed the lives of 17 children, ranging in age from nine to 13, while 14 others sustained injuries and are receiving treatment in hospitals.
The families of the missing children are enduring a harrowing wait for news, with 70 youngsters still unaccounted for. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua emphasized that this does not necessarily mean these children are deceased or injured, as some may have been taken by relatives or found refuge within the community. However, the scene is described as “gory,” and painstaking DNA analysis will be required to identify the victims.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, but the National Gender and Equality Commission has pointed to initial reports indicating the dormitory was “overcrowded, in violation of safety standards,” prompting calls for an immediate investigation.
President Ruto has pledged a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, promising to hold all relevant individuals and institutions accountable. He acknowledged the pressing questions surrounding the fire’s origin and the response time, assuring the public of a transparent and comprehensive inquiry.
This tragedy has once again brought to light the recurring issue of school fires in Kenya and East Africa. In 2016, a fire at a girls’ high school in Nairobi’s Kibera slum claimed the lives of nine students. In 2001, a horrific arson attack on a dormitory in Machakos district resulted in the deaths of 67 pupils. Similar tragedies have occurred in Tanzania and Uganda, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive fire safety measures in educational institutions across the region.
The blackened shell of the dormitory, with its collapsed corrugated iron roof, stands as a stark reminder of the devastating fire. The building has been cordoned off, with police stationed at all access points. The school, which serves approximately 800 children, is located in a semi-rural area about 100 miles north of the capital, Nairobi.
This tragedy has ignited a wave of grief and sorrow throughout Kenya, with families left grappling with the loss of their loved ones. The investigation into the fire will undoubtedly focus on addressing the systemic issues that have contributed to recurring school fires and ensuring that such a tragedy is never repeated.
