NAIROBI: A devastating fire engulfed a boarding school dormitory in central Kenya early Friday, claiming the lives of 17 boys who were asleep at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri.
According to police reports, the boys, who were between 9 and 13 years old and in grades 4 to 8, were burned beyond recognition. The scene, as captured by Citizen Television, showed collapsed iron roofing and charred metal storage boxes scattered over bunk beds.
The tragic incident also left 14 students injured. Police spokesperson Resila Onyango confirmed that emergency teams were on-site, working to manage the aftermath. Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura provided details about the dormitory, which housed 156 students at the time of the fire. The exact cause of the blaze remains unknown.
In response to the tragedy, President William Ruto has called for a thorough investigation into what he described as a “horrific incident,” promising that those responsible will be held accountable. The Kenya Red Cross reported that the school has been sealed off as authorities continue their investigation. Efforts to contact the school directly were unsuccessful.
Kenya has faced several school fire incidents in the past, often attributed to arson. Notably, in September 2017, a fire at a Nairobi school resulted in the deaths of nine students, with arson suspected.
Another tragic fire in 2001 at Kyanguli Secondary School near Nairobi claimed 58 lives, while a 2012 fire in Homa Bay County resulted in the deaths of eight students.
These past incidents highlight the ongoing concerns over fire safety in educational institutions across the country.
