A devastating fire broke out at the Hillside Endarasha Academy, a private boarding school in Nyeri County, central Kenya, East Africa on September 5, 2024. The blaze, which swept through the male dormitory, has claimed the lives of at least 21 students and dozens injured. Officials report that several students remain unaccounted for.
The fire started late Thursday night in the dormitory housing over 150 boys. The cause of the fire is currently unknown and under investigation. Kenyan authorities have cordoned off the area and launched a thorough inquiry into the incident.
Resila Onyango, spokesperson for the Kenya National Police Service, stated that the bodies of the deceased students were “burnt beyond recognition.”
The Hillside Endarasha Academy is a mixed private boarding school with a total enrollment of 824 students, including 156 boys and approximately 160 girls as boarders. The remaining students are day scholars.
Kenyan President William Ruto expressed his condolences and called the incident “devastating.” He has instructed relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and hold those responsible accountable.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua addressed the issue of the numerous unaccounted-for students, emphasizing that their absence doesn’t automatically imply death or injury. He urged parents who might have retrieved their children from the school without notifying the administration to make their actions known. Gachagua requested that these parents inform school authorities about their children’s whereabouts to ensure an accurate accounting of all students.
The Kenya Red Cross has been actively involved in the response efforts. They have set up a tracking desk at the school to assist in locating missing students and are providing psychosocial support services to affected students, teachers, and families.
Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki reaffirmed the government’s dedication to thoroughly investigating the incident. He guaranteed that authorities would work diligently to uncover the facts surrounding the fire. Kindiki pledged that the government would hold accountable any individuals or entities whose actions or lack of action may have contributed to the devastating loss of life at the school.
School fires have been a recurring issue in Kenya, often attributed to arson and overcrowding. In 2017, a similar tragedy occurred at a boarding school in Nairobi, resulting in the deaths of at least nine students. Another incident in 2016 at a girls’ high school in Nairobi’s Kibera neighborhood also claimed nine lives.
The frequency of these incidents has raised concerns about Kenyan schools’ safety and security measures. Between 2015 and 2016, approximately 350 schools in the country experienced fires, highlighting the urgent need for improved safety protocols and infrastructure.
