BTN News: A tragic fire swept through the Hillside Endarasha Primary School in Nyeri County, Kenya, leaving 18 students dead, 27 hospitalized, and over 70 still missing. The devastating incident has plunged the community into mourning and raised serious questions about the safety standards in boarding schools across the country. President William Ruto has declared three days of national mourning to honor the victims.
Blaze Rips Through Kenyan School: Chaos and Confusion Follow
The fire broke out late Thursday night in the boys’ dormitory of Hillside Endarasha Primary School, located in the central highlands of Kenya, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of Nairobi. Within minutes, the blaze engulfed the wooden structure, which housed over 150 children aged between 10 and 14. As flames spread rapidly through the wooden building, chaos erupted, and desperate efforts to rescue the children were hampered by difficult conditions, including muddy roads caused by heavy rains.
Community on Edge: Many Children Still Missing
Vice President Rigathi Gachagua reported that out of more than 150 children in the dormitory, only 86 have been located. With 70 children still unaccounted for, officials are urging community members to come forward if they have taken any children into their homes for safety. As of now, 37 students have been reunited with their parents, while the search for others continues.
“We are asking parents who picked up their children and the community to support us as we consolidate the numbers to ensure that we account for all the children who were boarding in this school,” said Belio Kipsang, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education.
Heartbreak and Despair: Families Await News
At the scene, desperate parents waited for any news of their missing children. Many, like John Rukwaro, who has been searching hospitals in the area for his 11-year-old grandson, are losing hope. “I can’t find him anywhere,” he told reporters with visible distress.
The school, a private mixed-gender institution with 824 students, has faced criticism in light of the incident. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the police have cordoned off the area around the destroyed dormitory. The Commissioner of Nyeri County, Pius Murugu, and police spokesperson Resila Onyango confirmed that investigations are ongoing.
Kenya’s Troubling History of School Fires
The tragedy at Hillside Endarasha is not an isolated incident. School fires have become an all-too-common occurrence in Kenya, often linked to overcrowding, drug use, and inadequate safety measures. A 2017 fire at a Nairobi school claimed the lives of 10 secondary students. The most deadly fire in recent history occurred in 2001 in Machakos County, where 67 students died in a similar dormitory blaze.
Call for Safety Reforms: Are Schools Prepared?
In light of these tragedies, Kenyan authorities have repeatedly called for schools to adhere to strict safety guidelines. The Ministry of Education’s safety protocols require that dormitories be spacious, equipped with multiple exits, and fitted with fire alarms and extinguishers. However, it remains unclear if the Hillside Endarasha Primary School complied with these safety regulations.
“I have ordered a thorough investigation into this horrific incident. Those responsible will be held accountable,” President William Ruto wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
National Mourning and Calls for Accountability
With the country in mourning, President Ruto’s announcement of a three-day period of national remembrance reflects the gravity of the incident. Flags will fly at half-mast across Kenya as the nation grieves the young lives lost. Meanwhile, the government is under pressure to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.
Immediate Actions and Future Measures
Vice President Gachagua has urged school administrators to adhere strictly to safety protocols, emphasizing the need for compliance with government regulations. “School administrators must ensure they follow the safety guidelines recommended by the Ministry of Education,” he stated.
Kenyan Red Cross and local authorities are on the ground, offering support and counseling to affected families. The nation awaits the results of the investigation to provide clarity and accountability for this devastating incident.
A Nation in Grief, Demanding Answers
This tragic event has left a deep scar on the Kenyan community and has reignited debates about school safety, overcrowding, and the responsibilities of educational institutions. As Kenya grieves, there is a collective demand for answers, reform, and accountability to prevent future tragedies.
