Tragedy Strikes as Dormitory Fire Claims Lives of Young Students in Kenya
A devastating fire that swept through a dormitory at Hillside Endarasha Academy in central Kenya has claimed the lives of at least 18 young children, with 27 others hospitalized. The tragedy unfolded overnight on Thursday, as more than 150 boys aged between 10 and 14 were sleeping when the blaze broke out shortly after midnight. The incident has plunged the community into grief and raised urgent questions about safety standards in Kenyan boarding schools.
The Growing Death Toll and Search for the Missing
Late on Friday, the death toll rose as one of the hospitalized students succumbed to injuries. With at least 70 children still unaccounted for, local authorities fear that the number of casualties may increase. There is some hope, however, that some of the missing students may have been taken home by their families for the night. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged community members who might have sheltered children to bring them back to the school so they can be accounted for.
The school, located in Nyeri county, approximately 200 kilometers north of Nairobi, has been the scene of frantic efforts by parents desperate to be reunited with their children. The lack of information provided to families has only added to the anguish, with many waiting anxiously for news.
Investigation into the Cause of the Fire
The fire spread rapidly through the dormitory, exacerbated by the fact that many of the school’s buildings are constructed from wooden planks. Police have already launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. Police spokesperson Resila Onyango confirmed that all available resources would be mobilized to support the affected families and ensure a thorough investigation.
President William Ruto, deeply moved by the tragedy, has declared three days of national mourning. Flags will be flown at half-staff in honor of the young lives lost. In a statement on social media, Ruto expressed his condolences and vowed that those responsible for the fire would be held accountable. “I instruct relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate this horrific incident. Those responsible will be held to account,” he stated.
Ongoing Concerns About School Safety
The fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy is a grim reminder of the dangers that have plagued Kenyan boarding schools for years. According to a recent education ministry report, school fires are common in the country, often linked to arson fueled by drug abuse and overcrowding. The deadliest school fire in Kenya occurred in 2001 when 67 students died in a dormitory fire in Machakos County.
Deputy President Gachagua has called on school administrators to ensure strict adherence to safety guidelines recommended by the education ministry. The government is under pressure to take immediate action to prevent such tragedies from recurring, as families across the country demand better protection for their children.
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