At least 17 pupils tragically lost their lives following a dormitory fire at the Hillside Endarasha Academy, a primary boarding school located in Nyeri County, central Kenya, on Thursday night. Authorities are concerned that the death toll may increase, as over a dozen students have been hospitalized with severe burns.
The cause of the blaze is currently under investigation, with police and emergency services responding swiftly to the scene. President William Ruto described the incident as “horrific” and “devastating,” emphasizing the need for accountability. He has ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire.
In response to the tragedy, a dedicated team of investigators has been dispatched to the site. Police spokesperson Resila Onyango reported that many of the bodies recovered were “burnt beyond recognition,” raising concerns about the potential for more casualties as the area is fully examined.
The Kenya Red Cross is actively providing trauma counseling services to affected pupils, teachers, and families and has established a tracing desk at the school to assist those impacted by this devastating event.
Hillside Endarasha Academy, catering to children aged five to twelve, is situated near Nyeri town, approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) north of Nairobi. Unfortunately, fires in Kenyan boarding schools are not uncommon. Previous incidents include a tragic arson attack at Moi Girls High School in Nairobi in 2017, which claimed the lives of 10 students, and a devastating school fire in Machakos County over two decades ago that resulted in the deaths of at least 67 students.
